Observations, takeaways from Cardinals’ final practice of training camp

The Cardinals are done with training camp at State Farm Stadium. Here is what Howard Balzer took away from the final day.

The Arizona Cardinals put a wrap on this portion of training camp Thursday with a practice in pads prior to Saturday’s preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.

Camp Part 2 will convene in Indianapolis next week with practices on Wednesday and Thursday against the Colts before the two teams play on Saturday, Aug. 17.

After that, it’s back to the team’s practice facility in Tempe to prepare for the final preseason game on Sunday, Aug. 25 in Denver against the Broncos. Two days later is the roster reduction to 53, followed by the naming of a 17-player practice squad, assuming tight end Bernhard Seikovits will be part of that and thus have an exemption.

Harrison’s debut

Gannon said wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will play Saturday, but did not reveal how much. Harrison said last week, “Hopefully I get to play. I definitely want to play.”

Gannon said decisions were to be made Thursday evening regarding what players won’t play Saturday aside from quarterback Kyler Murray.

In the first preseason game last year, notables not playing included safety Budda Baker, running back James Conner, linebacker Kyzir White, tackle D.J. Humphries and tight end Trey McBride. Murray was on the physically unable to perform list.

The starting offensive line other than Humphries, of Paris Johnson Jr., Will Hernandez, Hjalte Froholdt and Elijah Wilkinson, played only 15 snaps (19 percent). Defensive starters Dennis Gardeck, Zaven Collins and Jalen Thompson played seven (11 percent).

Injury Update

Rookie cornerback Max Melton was back at practice but did not do a lot in team drills. Running back Emari Demercado, who appeared to suffer a shoulder injury in practice Wednesday, was not present, but Gannon said it’s “not serious.” Cornerback Garrett Williams, who told Cards Wire he was fine Wednesday, was on the sideline but not dressed.

Still absent was defensive lineman Justin Jones.

Dusting off the new kickoff

Regarding the new kickoff rule, Gannon said, “I’m excited about it. Opening kickoff will be a little bit different this time.”

Noting the work put in by special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers throughout the offseason and camp, Gannon said, “We’ve done a really good job with it; how Jeff has structured some things. I like where we’re at with it right now, but we will have to make adaptations to that I’m sure.”

Kicker Matt Prater will be playing on his 40th birthday.

Watching his fiancé

Wide receiver Michael Wilson thought he’d have a totally clear path to watching his fiancé, Sophia Smith, play Brazil for the Olympic gold medal in soccer on Saturday, a game that begins at 8 am Arizona time.

Kickoff for the Cardinals-Saints is at 5 p.m. Arizona time at State Farm Stadium. However, when asked about that plan Thursday, Wilson chuckled and said, “I know we have walkthrough at 9, so I’ll probably see if I can have my phone on during the walkthrough.”

Ready for a luau?

The media celebrated the end of camp in Glendale by adorning Hawaiian shirts.

When head coach Jonathan Gannon entered the media room for his press conference, he took note and joked, “I’m a large, get me one,” and then said, “I don’t know if could rock that.”

Noting that ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss and Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic dressed regularly, Gannon joked, “What, you guys didn’t get the memo? So, you’re not a team player? That shows a lot about you. … Obviously, they’re not, kick ‘em off.”

For the record, the top row, left to right is Jose Romero, Arizona Republic; Bob McManaman, Arizona Republic; Tyler Drake, ArizonaSports.com; Donnie Druin, si.com; Zach Gershman, azcardinals.com; Bo Brack, gophnx.com; Megan Plain, Fox10 Sports. Bottom row, left to right: Dave Brandt, Associated Press; Brad Gass, Fox10 Sports; some guy named Howard Balzer, Cards Wire.

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