Aug. 6 (UPI) — The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will launch the 2026 NFL preseason with a Hall of Fame Game matchup Thursday in Canton, Ohio.
Fans can tune in at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC. The meeting also will stream on Peacock and NFL+. The Panthers are 1.5-point favorites, but the game could feature an unpredictable script as starters will be held out.
Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters Tuesday that his starters would not play in the preseason opener. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said earlier this week that most starters will not play, likely including Jacoby Brissett.
The Cardinals will starter former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck, a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, in his absence. Kedon Slovis and Gardner Minshew are the other quarterbacks on the Cardinals roster.
LaFleur said running back Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, also will not see time against the Panthers. Tyler Allgeier and James Conner also are set to sit out. Trey Benson, Bam Knight, Corey Kiner and Evan Hull are the Cardinals other ball carriers.
Former Miami quarterback Carson Beck will make his Arizona Cardinals debut Thursday in Canton, Ohio. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is among starters also expected to sit out.
The Panthers will start journeyman Kenny Pickett in place of starter Bryce Young. Chuba Hubbard, Tetairoa McMillan, Tommy Tremble, Jaelan Phillips and Jaycee Horn are among other players expected to sit out in the preseason opener.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) will not play in the NFL Hall of Fame Game on Thursday in Canton, Ohio. File Photo by Laurence Kesterson/UPI
The Panthers, who went 5-12 in their first season under Canales in 2024 and 8-9 in 2025, will look to defend the NFC South title this season. They will face the Buffalo Bills in their second preseason game Aug. 15 in the new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Cardinals, who went 3-14 in 2025 and fired former coach Jonathan Gannon in January, will attempt to bounce back under LaFleur in 2026. They will meet the Las Vegas Raiders in their second preseason game Aug. 13 in Las Vegas.
Head Coach Dave Canales (R) said Carolina Panthers starters will not play in their preseason opener. File Photo by Mark Black/UPI
The other 30 NFL teams will launch their preseason campaigns next week.
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