The Cardinals will play in the first game of the NFL preseason on Thursday, but their starters won’t.
Coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday that his first-string units won’t participate in the Hall of Fame Game against the Cowboys. It is an extra preseason game for the Cardinals, and Arians wants his key players to avoid injuries this far ahead of the regular season.
Backup quarterback Drew Stanton also won’t play, giving two quarters of playing time apiece to Blaine Gabbert and Trevor Knight.
The game will instead be a showcase for the younger players.