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After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, David Blough led two second-half TD drives for an 18-17 win to close the preseason.
The Arizona Cardinals did not start their final preseason game well. They allowed an opening-drive touchdown, turned the ball over and immediately gave up another touchdown to fall behind 14-0.
However, they rallied back with the defense rebounding and David Blough threw a touchdown pass and ran for another to rally the Cardinals to their second 18-17 win of the preseason.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
He left the preseason finale after only one play.
The one thing you don’t want to see in a preseason game is players getting injured. All it took was one offensive play and the Arizona Cardinals had to deal with one.
After one offensive play, rookie center Jon Gaines injured his right knee.
He had to be assisted off the field but was able to walk. He was carted to the locker room.
It was announced he was questionable to return, although his return in the game seems unlikely.
The fourth-round pick out of UCLA was lined up to be the Cardinals’ backup center.
Hopefully it isn’t an injury that causes him to lose time.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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See which players did not dress for the final preseason game, suggesting they have a spot on the roster or are injured.
The Arizona Cardinals took on the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason finale on Saturday. Many players did not dress for the game. Outside of the injured players, those not dressing suggest those players either have earned spots in the starting lineup or have secured a spot on the final roster.
Who were those players?
Darren Urban of the official team site noted many of the players not dressing.
A list of the players not in uniform for the #AZCardinals today. (Hopefully I didn't miss anyone): pic.twitter.com/Hr37uiG1rZ
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) August 26, 2023
Some players might have been injured. Driskel hasn’t dressed for a game yet. Sanders did have a hand injury earlier in training camp.
If Dimukeje and Hamilton are not injured, their not dressing is notable, suggesting they have a spot on the final roster.
Murray is still ineligible to play as he is on PUP.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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The starting defense was a bunch of rookies and guy battling for roles and spots on the roster.
The Arizona Cardinals began the preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on defense. They did not use any of their defensive starters.
Their starting lineup was filled with guys battling for roles or spots on the roster.
Who started on defense?
Cornerback Nate Hairston also got in the game.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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Paris Johnson, Michael WIlson, Kei’Trel Clark all sat out the preseason finale against the Vikings.
The Arizona Cardinals did not play their starters in their preseason finale on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings. Three rookies were among those not dressing for the game.
What does that mean? It would appear that these three Cardinals draft picks have secured a spot in the starting lineup or at least a solid spot in the playing rotation.
AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban noted that tackle Paris Johnson, the Cardinals’ first-round pick, receiver Michael Wilson, selected in the third round, and cornerback Kei’Trel Clark, a fifth-round selection, were all in street clothes before the game.
Johnson will be the Cardinals’ starting right tackle. He has worked there all offseason.
Wilson appears to have locked up a starting spot at receiver. He started with Marquise Brown in the Cardinals’ preseason game last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. He will at least be among the Cardinals’ top four receivers in the offensive rotation.
Clark started at cornerback last week against the Chiefs opposite Marco Wilson. He likely has locked up at least a spot in the top three cornerback rotation.
The youth movement for the Cardinals has officially begun. After years of rookies being brought along slowly, often out of necessity, they are going all in, trying to compete with rookies in the lineup.
At least one other rookie, linebacker BJ Ojulari, their second-round pick, also figures to play a role in the defensive rotation. He is expected to play in the preseason finale.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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The Cardinals face the Vikings Saturday in their preseason finale. Here is the info you need to watch, stream or listen to the game.
The Arizona Cardinals wrap up their preseason schedule Saturday on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. They are 1-1 in the preseason with a win over the Denver Broncos and a loss last week to the Kansas City Chiefs.
They now face the Vikings after two days of joint competitive practices.
It is the final opportunity for players to make an impression before final roster cuts on Tuesday.
Starters are not expected to play in this game for either team.
Are you planning on watching or listening to the game?
Below are the details you need.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Vote in the poll to say what you think of the Cardinals’ move to acquire QB Josh Dobbs.
The final of three trades the Arizona Cardinals made on Thursday was to acquire quarterback Josh Dobbs. They sent a fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Dobbs and a seventh-round pick.
Dobbs has played in eight games since he was drafted in 2017 and he started two last year.
His role is uncertain yet but he is guaranteed $1.5 million in salary this season.
What do you think of the trade? Vote in the poll!
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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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Vote in the poll to tell us what you think of the Cardinals’ deal sending Josh Jones to the Texans.
The Arizona Cardinals made three trades on Thursday. One sent tackle Josh Jones to the Houston Texans along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round selection.
Jones was a third-round pick in 2020 and had started games at left tackle, right guard and right tackle.
But this offseason, with the re-signing of tackle Kelvin Beachum and the selection of tackle Paris Johnson sixth overall in the 2023 draft, Jones’ spot on the roster was uncertain.
What do you think of the deal?
Vote in the poll to give your thoughts.
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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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We don’t know how the Cardinals will change things in their nickel package with Simmons traded to the Giants.
The Arizona Cardinals traded safety Isaiah Simmons to the New York Giants on Thursday. By so doing, it opened a spot on defense for a defensive back and, as the preseason closes, we now have questions about who will play in the slot in nickel packages.
All offseason, the Cardinals were using a three-safety rotation. Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker would start at safety with the two starting cornerbacks. In nickel sets with five defensive backs, Isaiah Simmons would play safety and Thompson would move to the slot.
With Simmons gone, we don’t know yet who the fifth defensive back will be, and we won’t likely get a clue in the preseason finale because the starters likely will not play.
If the Cardinals opt to keep Thompson in the slot in nickel packages, then a different safety will come in. That could be someone like Andre Chachere or JuJu Hughes.
But Thompson might simply stay at safety. That would mean a different player in the slot.
Antonio Hamilton played a lot in the slot in the Cardinals’ second preseason game. Could he slide into that role, or what about rookie Kei’Trel Clark?
Clark is in the mix to be a starter on the boundary, but many believe he is a better fit in the slot. He could slide inside in nickel packages with another cornerback like Christian Matthew playing outside.
But again, Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings might not give us much insight.
We can at least take a look and see which players are getting snaps in the slot.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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Jess Root breaks down the recent Cardinals trades in the latest edition of the podcast.
The Arizona Cardinals made three trades on Thursday, sending safety Isaiah Simmons to the New York Giants, tackle Josh Jones to the Houston Texans and acquiring quarterback Josh Dobbs from the Cleveland Browns.
What do the moves mean?
I react to and break down the moves and what they could mean moving forward in this latest edition of the podcast.
I also run down what the Cardinals’ 2024 draft picks are set to be and look a little bit at the preseason finale against the Vikings.
Enjoy the show!
Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!
Here are the times of the different parts of the show:
(1:00) The Isaiah Simmons trade
(16:26) The Josh Jones trade
(23:07) The Josh Dobbs trade acquisition
(33:39) 2024 draft picks, preseason finale talk
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