The Arizona Cardinals will put their starting lineup on the field in Thursday’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, coach Mike LaFleur told reporters Tuesday on the final day of training camp in Glendale.
LaFleur said the move is designed to give fans an early look at how the offense and defense might operate in the regular season while still protecting key players from extended exposure. The starters will be used sparingly — likely a single drive or, at most, two — rather than staying in for multiple series.
"They're all going to play. We'll have our guys out there," LaFleur said.
Why starters will play
The decision breaks from a cautious preseason approach some NFL teams adopt, in which key players are held out of exhibition games to minimize injury risk. For Arizona, the choice reflects a balance between evaluating schemes in live action and keeping starters fresh ahead of the regular season.
Among those expected to take the field is starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett. LaFleur stressed that Brissett and other primary contributors will not play extensive snaps. That limited exposure gives coaches a chance to see how first-string personnel perform against another team’s starters without jeopardizing their preparation.
What fans can expect
Fans attending or watching will get a glimpse of both established veterans and younger players continuing to push for roster spots. The Cardinals will also use the game to showcase rookie running back Jeremiyah Love and others who are healthy and in the mix.
- When: Thursday, kickoff at 5 p.m. Arizona time (8 p.m. ET)
- Where: Las Vegas (road game for Arizona)
- Expected participation: Starters for a short stint — roughly one drive, possibly two
The Raiders have indicated they plan to play their starters as well, meaning for brief stretches this week’s preseason matchup will pit first-string units against each other. That presents a rare, if limited, chance to see how the Cardinals’ top players stack up against other NFL starters in game conditions.
Coaching and roster considerations
LaFleur’s plan gives the coaching staff observable data points to weigh in final roster decisions and play-calling adjustments heading into the regular season. Preseason live reps can expose schematic strengths and weaknesses that do not always surface in padded practices.
At the same time, the limited snap count reduces the chance that an extended play sequence leads to a serious injury — a primary concern for teams as they balance competitive readiness against preserving player health.
Context and local impact
Cardinals fans have had mixed impressions through training camp. Arizona’s offense had a strong performance in the Hall of Fame Game, while the defense showed inconsistency. Putting starters into the preseason contest provides a clearer, though brief, measure of progress on both sides of the ball.
For season-ticket holders and local viewers, the appearance of starters should sharpen expectations and generate conversation about depth chart decisions. It will also offer a first public look at how new play-calling and personnel choices translate in game speed.
| Player | Role | Expected action |
|---|---|---|
| Jacoby Brissett | Starting quarterback | One drive, possibly two |
| Jeremiyah Love | Rookie running back | Seeing game reps |
LaFleur’s approach aligns with a growing trend among coaches to provide starters short, meaningful looks in exhibitions to validate game plans while limiting exposure. How those brief appearances affect final roster spots and early-season performance will be a central topic for local coverage in the coming days.
The Cardinals and Raiders kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Thursday. Coverage and analysis will continue on local and team-focused platforms as the season-opening rosters take shape.
