Cardinals LE Calais Campbell (calf) is not expected to play in Week 11 against the Falcons.

It's a big loss for Arizona's defense, in more ways than one. Mammoth Campbell (6'8/300) is a pocket pusher who also defends the run well. Arizona is ranked 24th in the NFL in rush defense entering Sunday's clash with Michael Turner.

Cardinals LE Calais Campbell's new five-year, $55 million contract contains $31 million guaranteed, including a $15 million signing bonus.

Campbell has a $10 million second-year option bonus that will be exercised barring catastrophe. His 2012 salary of $2 million is already guaranteed, and Campbell's 2013 base of $3 million becomes guaranteed once the option is paid. $1 million of Campbell's 2014 salary ($5.5 million) is also fully guaranteed. The extension predictably saved a bundle of 2012 salary cap space, reducing Campbell's first-year cap number from over $10 million to $5 million.

Cardinals agreed to terms with franchise player Calais Campbell on a five-year contract.

Campbell was scheduled to earn $10.6 million under the tag. Still just 25 years old, Campbell almost certainly bypassed Darnell Dockett's six-year, $56 million contract with $30 million in guarantees. Posting career-highs across the board, Campbell finished the 2011 season second only to Justin Smith among 3-4 ends in Pro Football Focus' ratings. He joins Dockett and Patrick Peterson as Arizona's defensive nucleus.

Unsigned franchise player Calais Campbell will sit out the start of the Cardinals' offseason program, which begins on Monday.

"Not until I sign a deal and that hasn't happened yet, so hopefully soon but not yet," Campbell replied via text message when contacted by beat writer Darren Urban. Cardinals OTAs don't begin until May 22. The sides will probably get serious about long-term contract negotiations before that date.

Cardinals assigned the franchise tag to DE Calais Campbell.

Cards GM Rod Graves insists the tag is a segue to a long-term extension, and Arizona will likely work intently on a deal to reduce Campbell's $10 million-plus salary cap number under the tag. A monster of a man at 6-foot-8, 300, Campbell recorded career bests in tackles (72), sacks (8), pass breakups (10), and forced fumbles (2) last season. And he's only 25 years old.

The Arizona Republic is "hearing" that the Cardinals will likely place the franchise tat on free agent DE Calais Campbell today.

A flurry of tags could be assigned at 4PM ET, when the NFL transactions period closes for the day. While the Cardinals and Campbell are working toward a long-term deal, the franchise tag has always been the likeliest avenue, at least as a short-term solution. The defensive end tag is worth roughly $10 million.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that the Cardinals will franchise tag free agent DE Calais Campbell if no long-term deal is reached.

The sides are trying to hammer out an extension, but the franchise tag is the most likely outcome. "I believe we will have a resolution at some point," GM Rod Graves said earlier in the week. The franchise tag for defensive ends costs roughly $10.6 million, down from last year's heftier $13 million number.

Speaking at the NFL Combine on Thursday, GM Rod Graves expressed optimism that the Cardinals will strike a long-term agreement with free agent DE Calais Campbell.

The Cards are fully prepared to use the franchise tag on Campbell, but won't if they can help it. "I believe we will have a resolution at some point," Graves said, adding that negotiations are "ongoing" and have been "fruitful."

Cardinals GM Rod Graves made it clear Thursday that free agent DE Calais Campbell will be back with the team in 2012 whether it's by way of the franchise tag or a long-term deal.

Campbell won't necessarily be franchised tagged with three weeks to hammer out a deal, but Graves emphasized, "rest assured he will be with us this year." Picking up Ray Horton's defense quickly, the 25-year-old was second only to Justin Smith among 3-4 defensive ends in Pro Football Focus' 2011 ratings.

Free agent DE Calais Campbell said Monday that he would be open to receiving the franchise tag from the Cardinals.

Some players are averse to the tag because it limits their rights, but it sounds like Campbell would be okay with it. "If that's the worst-case scenario, it's not too bad," he said. "The only thing that kind of sucks is that you don't have security for the future. But I am one of those guys who kind of takes it as it comes." The Cardinals will not let Campbell test the market.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed Monday that the Cardinals are making it a top priority to re-sign free agent DE Calais Campbell.

"That's a focus for us," Whiz said. "We are looking forward to having many more years with Calais to come." Campbell set career highs in tackles (72), sacks (8), pass breakups (a cornerback-like 10), and forced fumbles (2) in 2011. He'll be a franchise tag candidate if the sides can't work out a quick extension.

Talks between impending free agent DE Calais Campbell and the Cardinals have reached "intermediate" levels, a source tells ProFootballTalk.com.

The Cards appear to have no intention of letting Campbell hit the open market. The 25-year-old has racked up eight sacks and 71 tackles this season while excelling in the run game. A five-year deal makes sense for both sides.

Mike Jurecki of XTRA Phoenix suspects that Calais Campbell's new deal with the Cardinals will be worth roughly $30 million over five years.

Jurecki guesses that the deal will include $10-12 million guaranteed. In July, the Redskins gave DE Stephen Bowen $27.5M over five years with $12.5M in guarantees. Bowen and Campbell play similar positions, although Campbell has been more effective, particularly as a pass rusher. He's also only 25.

Cardinals GM Rod Graves hopes to reach a long-term deal with impending free agent DE Calais Campbell "sooner rather than later."

"We've been in negotiations for some time," Graves said. "Not only has Calais performed well on the field, but he's also been superb off the field as a representative of this team." Campbell leads the team with seven sacks, has blocked three field goals, and grades out as an elite run defender in Pro Football Focus' player ratings.

The Cardinals plan to open contract talks with impending free agent DE Calais Campbell in the near future.

Having a fine bounce-back season, Campbell leads the team with five sacks while also blocking two field goals in the final year of his rookie contract. Arizona won't be willing to match Darnell Dockett's six-year, $56 million deal. If Campbell holds out for more, the franchise tag could come into play.

Cardinals DE Calais Campbell is is active for Sunday's game against St. Louis.

Campbell is Arizona's second best pass rusher (behind Darnell Dockett), so his return could inject energy into a lifeless defense. Down for the Cards: LB Reggie Walker, third QB John Skelton, WR Max Komar, S Hamza Abdullah, CB A.J. Jefferson, CB Marshay Green, C Ben Claxton, and DT Gabe Watson.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt expects both DE Calais Campbell (ankle) and CB Greg Toler (foot) to return to the lineup in Week 13.

Campbell had been splitting reps with Alan Branch before his injury, but this will help out the team's depth. Toler will regain his starting job after sitting in favor of Michael Adams this past week. He did have his best game of the year in Week 1 against the Rams, the Cardinals' Week 13 opponent, with 13 tackles and a forced fumble.

Cardinals declared DE Calais Campbell, CB Greg Toler, WR Max Komar, S Hamza Abdullah, CB Marshay Green, C Bex Claxton, and LB Reggie Walker inactive for Week 12 against the 49ers.

The third quarterback is John Skelton. Toler (foot) will be replaced by undersized nickel back Michael Adams in the starting lineup, which can't hurt Michael Crabtree's chances of enjoying a big game. Alan Branch gets the nod for Campbell, who has an ankle injury and just three sacks on the year.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said DE Calais Campbell (ankle) will be a game-day decision for Monday Night when Arizona faces the 49ers.

Alan Branch would draw the start at left end if Campbell can't go. Frank Gore remains an elite RB1 play versus the Cardinals' 28th-ranked rush defense.

Calais Campbell (ankle) has yet to practice this week and is in danger of missing the team's Week 12 matchup with San Francisco.

Backup nose tackle Dan Williams (toe) also missed practice Friday. Both players will have an extra day to heal, as the Cardinals play on Monday night. Alan Branch stands to start at defensive end should Campbell find himself inactive. Here's hoping you don't have to face 49ers RB Frank Gore this week, as the Cardinals are giving up the second most fantasy points to opposing running backs.