The Arizona Cardinals will have their first preseason game on Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers. They released their first depth chart of the preseason.
You can view the whole depth chart in this post.
There were a few notable things to see in the depth chart.
Tyler Allgeier ahead of Jeremiyah Love
Despite being the No. 3 overall pick, Love is the No. 2 back behind Allgeier, also a newcomer this season in free agency. While most would expect Love to eventually be the main guy, the Cardinals seem fine with him and Allgeier sharing the load.
PUP players at the back of the depth chart, except for one
The Cardinals have three players who entered training camp with injuries — cornerback Garrett Williams, tight end Tip Reiman and outside linebacker Josh Sweat.
Williams and Reiman, who are key parts of the Cardinals' offense
and defense, were listed at the back of the depth chart, which makes sense for right now because they haven't been able to practice. That would make sense until you see that Sweat is listed as the starting outside linebacker.
Is keeping Sweat at the top of the list a way to keep him happy? Would he have been offended at the back of the chart? Or does it mean he will be activated soon and practicing?
It is an interesting move.
Multiple starting jobs neck-and-neck right now
The Cardinals list four starting positions as having two possible players at No. 1 on the depth chart.
At cornerback opposite Will Johnson, Denzel Burke and Max Melton are even. So are Baron Browning and Zaven Collins at outside linebacker. Roy Lopez and Andrew Billings are listed with an "or" at nose tackle, while Dante Stills and Darius Robinson are all even at one defensive tackle spot.
Clear leaders at 3 position battles
At right guard, Isaiah Adams is listed ahead of rookie Chase Bisontis. Cody Simon is the starting linebacker alongside Mack Wilson and Andrew Wingard is the starting free safety, with Rabbit Taylor Demerson listed as the No. 2 strong safety behind Budda Baker.
New faces in the return game
Devin Duvernay and Ihmir Smith-Marsette are longtime returners in the NFL. We saw Bam Knight and Xavier Weaver get looks last season for the Cardinals. But Max Melton is listed as the No. 3 kick returner, which is new this season, and receiver Michael Wilson is No. 3 as punt returner.
Beck moved up
All through the offseason program, Carson Beck was getting reps behind Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis while Jacoby Brissett held out. With Brissett now back with the team, Beck is still No. 3, passing Slovis.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals depth chart: 6 notable observations to note
