When the Arizona Cardinals take on the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday, Aug. 13, their depth chart will have a slightly different look.
Unlike last week’s Hall of Fame game, the Cardinals will play their starters, head coach Mike LaFleur announced on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
“They're gonna play,” LaFleur said. “So we'll have our guys out there. How much? It's not gonna be much. Could be one drive. Max of two for those main guys.”
That includes quarterback Jacoby Brissett, LaFleur confirmed.
Brissett got a late start to his offseason due to a contract holdout, which stretched over three months. He did not return to full participation in practice until two weeks ago. But the Cardinals have been encouraged by his progress — a result of extra time in meeting rooms
with the coaching staff.
The main question now is who else LaFleur sees as his “main guys.” Those who are removed early in Thursday’s game are more likely to be featured in critical roles when the season begins.
LaFleur’s decision to play the Cardinals’ starters also speaks to their status as a work in progress. He has repeatedly stated that preseason playing time depends on where a roster stands, as those opportunities are more valuable for an inexperienced team, rather than one packed with established veterans.
LaFleur: Sweat not practicing is ‘collective’ decision
Three weeks of training camp have come and gone without an appearance from Josh Sweat, but the Cardinals have maintained — at least publicly — that they are not concerned about Sweat’s absence.
The veteran edge rusher remains on the physically unable to perform list, with the Cardinals’ brass repeatedly stating that he is working himself into playing condition after missing voluntary organized team activities in the spring — more than two months ago.
“I like where he's at,” LaFleur said. “I know everybody probably is not believing me on that one, but I only try to speak truth to you guys.”
LaFleur added that the decision to hold Sweat out of practice has been “collective” between the player and organization.
“A lot of these guys have the information from within our building, then they've got people from outside the building,” LaFleur said. “Which I respect. I think that's good to have other people that are not affiliated with the Arizona Cardinals that are gonna give you their opinion.”
Both LaFleur and general manager Monti Ossenfort have stated they expect Sweat to be ready for Week 1. LaFleur has also denied the notion that Sweat is discontent with the Cardinals, while Ossenfort said the organization has no interest in trading him.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: LaFleur announces plans for Cardinals starters vs. Raiders
