TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals open the 2026 NFL regular season at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 13 at SoFi Stadium. But first, they play one more preseason game Friday against the Green Bay Packers and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
The Cardinals have a handful of a major decisions to make, especially at two positions. Figuring out who to keep at wide receiver and running back won't be easy because of how deep both rooms are and how well the bottom of the depth chart at both positions have played. Then there is the Josh Sweat decision. Sweat has been on the PUP list since reporting for training camp in July with an apparent knee injury after skipping the voluntary portion of the Cardinals' offseason program to train on his own. If the Cardinals move Sweat to the reserve/PUP list before cut-down day, he'll have to miss the first four games but can practice after the first two.
Here is our projection for the final 53-man roster for the Cardinals.
Quarterbacks (3)
Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew II, Carson Beck
At some point, the Cardinals will need to see what they have in Beck, but they can't put him on the practice squad because he'll be poached within seconds. Minshew is the backup for now, unless Beck can outplay him in practice, but after dealing with sore ribs and unlikely to get many snaps during regular season practices, that's somewhat unlikely.
Running backs (4)
Jeremiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier, Bam Knight, James Conner
Figuring out who to keep in this room will be one of the Cardinals' toughest decisions. Knight continued to look consistent and reliable during camp and the preseason, but Conner did not take a single 11-on-11 snap during camp. There's always a chance that Conner gets moved before the season, but if not, he'll be part of the running back committee.
Wide receivers (7)
Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Kendrick Bourne, Devin Duvernay, Simi Fehoko, Jalen Brooks, Reggie Virgil
The biggest decision for the Cardinals will be whether to keep six or seven receivers. Besides the obvious roster spots in Harrison, Wilson, Bourne and Duvernay, Arizona has seen productive play from Fehoko, who also doubles as a special-teams ace, Brooks, Virgil and Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who was a standout of camp. If the Cardinals keep six receivers, Smith-Marsette and either Virgil or Brooks are likely to be the odd-men out, but both, along with Xavier Weaver, could be practice squad possibilities.
Tight ends (3)
Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Teagan Quitoriano
Tip Reiman will reinsert himself into the tight end rotation whenever he's healthy, but Arizona will have to make a tough decision with him in whether to put him on the reserve/PUP list, which will keep him out of the first four games.
Offensive linemen (9)
Paris Johnson Jr., Isaac Seumalo, Hjalte Froholdt, Isaiah Adams, Elijah Wilkinson, Hayden Conner, Jon Gaines II, Jayden Williams, Josh Fryar
There are a couple of tough decisions at the bottom of the offensive line depth chart that could impact how the initial group on the 53 looks. Matt Pryor has looked good in camp and Demontrey Jacobs could also make a case. However, both could be practice squad possibilities.
Defensive linemen (7)
Walter Nolen III, Darius Robinson, Roy Lopez, Dante Stills, Jonah Williams, L.J. Collier, Andrew Billings
If the Cardinals keep eight defensive linemen, then Zachary Carter could make the roster, but Arizona will have a deep, experienced room to start the season.
Linebackers (8)
Zaven Collins, Jordan Burch, Baron Browning, Mack Wilson Sr., Cody Simon, Jack Gibbens, Karson Sharar, Owen Pappoe
Sweat's situation will dictate a bit of how the room ends up, and an inside linebacker could be the odd-man out.
Cornerbacks (5)
Garrett Williams, Max Melton, Will Johnson, Denzel Burke, Sean Murphy-Bunting
With Williams back from the physically unable to perform list, the Cardinals cornerback room has come into shape. Kei'Trel Clark could end up making the roster if Arizona doesn't keep as many defensive linemen or linebackers, but the depth at cornerback isn't something to sweat about, for now.
Safeties (4)
Budda Baker, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Andrew Wingard, Kitan Crawford
Crawford has been a standout in camp and the way Arizona utilizes Taylor-Demerson in the slot, Arizona's safety room will be steady this season.
Special teams (3)
Chad Ryland (K), Blake Gillikin (P), Casey Kreiter (LS)
It's the status quo, for now, for the Cardinals' special teams room.
