The Arizona Cardinals are back in action on Thursday for their second preseason exhibition of the year. They take on the Las Vegas Raiders on the road. The game will kick off from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. Arizona time).
While the Cardinals already have one preseason game in the books, a 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers last Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game, it wasn't a good gauge as to what the team might look like in 2026, as no starters played and a total of 41 players didn't get into the game.
That changes in tonight's game.
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur announced this week that everyone would play, including starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak also indicated all the Raiders, including starters, would play.
That means, at least for a couple of possessions in the first quarter, we will see starters vs. starters.
And while it will be starters playing starters without real game planning, it will be the first litmus test the Cardinals have.
As both were terrible teams in 2025, we can see how their starters fare against the starters of a team not expected to be good.
If the Cardinals look good early, fans can start to believe that the 2026 Cardinals could be better than they were.
But if they struggle, well, the expectations many already have will not change.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Cardinals, Raiders will both play starters in preseason matchup