Arizona Cardinals to play starters in preseason game vs. Raiders

August 12, 2026 - 07:35

The Arizona Cardinals are planning to put their first-team offense and defense on the field for the preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Unlike some teams that hold out key veterans for the entire exhibition slate, Gannon indicated that the starters will see meaningful snaps, likely into the first quarter or early second quarter.

Gannon said the decision is about building rhythm and physical conditioning, especially for a roster that has dealt with injuries in recent seasons. He emphasized that the coaching staff wants to evaluate how the starting units handle live game speed against a different opponent, particularly along the offensive line and in the secondary. The Cardinals have several position battles, but the focus here is on the established players shaking off rust.

The exact number of plays has not been set, but Gannon hinted that the starters will not play the entire first half. He also noted that veteran quarterback Kyler Murray is fully healthy and ready to take those snaps. The team will be careful with a few players returning from injury, but the general plan is to treat this game as a dress rehearsal for the regular season.

Kickoff is set for Saturday evening in Las Vegas. Fans hoping to see the full starting lineup should tune in early, because the backups are expected to take over before halftime.