Cardinals to Rest 35 Players for Hall of Fame Game Kickoff

The Arizona Cardinals are set to face the Carolina Panthers on Thursday in Canton, Ohio, marking the official start of the NFL preseason. However, fans tuning in to the Hall of Fame Game should not expect to see the team’s established stars. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon indicated Wednesday that approximately 35 players on both sides of the ball will be held out of the contest.

As an extra exhibition matchup on the schedule, the Hall of Fame Game is typically viewed as a showcase for roster bubble players rather than established veterans. The coaching staff is prioritizing health and risk management, opting to rest starters and key rotational contributors.

The list of those unavailable includes both injured reserves and healthy scratches. Running back James Conner headlines the injury report, joined by linebacker Josh Sweat, cornerback Garrett Williams, and tight end Tip Reiman, who are all on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Among the healthy players expected to sit, the offense will be without quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. The skill positions will see significant absences, including running backs Tyler Allgeier and Jeremiyah Love, as well as receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, and Kendrick Bourne. The offensive line unit, featuring Paris Johnson and Isaac Seumalo, will also be rested.

Defensively, the team will hold out linebacker Zaven Collins and safety Budda Baker. The secondary and defensive line depth will be tested with the absence of cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and defensive lineman Darius Robinson. In total, 34 players are projected to miss the game.

The game is scheduled to broadcast at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC. Comcast Corporation, the parent company of NBCUniversal, provides extensive sports broadcasting through its Media segment. Comcast shares were recently trading at $24.75.

What to watch

• Focus on quarterback play from third-string options competing for a roster spot.
• Performance of deep defensive reserves filling in for starters Collins and Baker.
• Official injury report updates following the conclusion of the game.

Source: original release