Cardinals to include starters against Raiders

The entire NFL kicks off its preseason schedule this weekend. The Arizona Cardinals have already had one exhibition game last Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game played in Canton, Ohio, against the Carolina Panthers. Both teams will play an extra preseason game, while the remainder of the league will only play three games.

Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur has come out and stated that this week’s contest against the Las Vegas Raiders this Thursday night, he is putting in his starters on both sides of the ball.

This is pretty much the norm for most NFL clubs. LaFleur says his starters will play two series, and then the second-team guys will take over. Most likely, the third-stringers will play the entire fourth quarter.

In LaFleur’s press conference on Tuesday, he was asked, “Any update on who’s playing on Thursday?”

“They’re all going to play. So, we’ll have our guys out there. How much? It’s not going to be much. Could be one drive, max of two for those main guys. They’ll be playing, and they know that. So, that includes Jacoby.”

“They’re all going to play. So, we’ll have our guys out there. How much? It’s not going to be much. Could be one drive, max of two for those main guys. They’ll be playing, and they know that. So, that includes Jacoby.”

Back in the day when the league played four exhibition games, no starters played in the first game, then two series in the second, a full quarter in the third game, and then finally the entire first half in the final match.

So, two series in what is the Cardinals’ second preseason game sounds about right.

And the coaching staff needs these guys to play in actual live game situations. The offensive line hasn’t gelled at all. Yet. The staff needs to see more of this receiver group, especially the 3-4 that conceivably could make this roster, like Jalen Brooks, Bryson Green, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and the rookie Reggie Virgil.  

The defensive line needs some game action, and hopefully the Cardinals fanbase will see how DE Darius Robinson is progressing along with the addition of DT Roy Lopez.

And, of course, the quarterback group. How will Jacoby Brissett look? Will we be able to finally see Gardner Minshew in action? Will Carson Beck pick up where he left off? What will Kedon Slovis provide?  

2026 Arizona Cardinals Preseason Schedule

• Aug. 13: at Las Vegas Raiders – 8:00 PM Eastern (local time 5:00 PM), Allegiant Stadium, Broadcast: Arizona’s Family

• Aug. 22: vs. Dallas Cowboys – 10:00 PM Eastern (local time 7:00 PM), State Farm Stadium, Broadcast: Arizona’s Family and NFL Network

• Aug. 28: at Green Bay Packers – 8:00 PM Eastern (local time 7:00 PM), Lambeau Field, Broadcast: Arizona’s Family

Aug. 13: at Las Vegas Raiders – 8:00 PM Eastern (local time 5:00 PM), Allegiant Stadium, Broadcast: Arizona’s Family

Aug. 22: vs. Dallas Cowboys – 10:00 PM Eastern (local time 7:00 PM), State Farm Stadium, Broadcast: Arizona’s Family and NFL Network

Aug. 28: at Green Bay Packers – 8:00 PM Eastern (local time 7:00 PM), Lambeau Field, Broadcast: Arizona’s Family