McConkey was able to walk off the field on his own before entering the medical blue tent on the Chargers’ sideline. Shortly after, he jogged to the locker room to undergo further evaluation. In the meantime, Justin Herbert will be without his most reliable target during Los Angeles’ 2026 NFL season opener.

With McConkey off the field, the Chargers’ WR depth chart features: Quentin Johnston, Tre’ Harris, Brenen Thompson, and Derius Davis. Needless to say, it’s slim pickings for Herbert, and the Bolts are in trouble.

“Ladd McConkey (chest) and Keandre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) are questionable to return,” the Chargers announced on X. Lambert-Smith would have been another option on the Chargers’ depth chart.

Surprise injury

When McConkey went down at SoFi Stadium after the big hit from Cardinals’ Mack Wilson, he appeared to be grabbing at his hip, showing discomfort in that region. However, the Chargers have now revealed the third-year wide receiver is dealing with a chest injury.

Before leaving the game with a chest injury, McConkey had caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, leading the certainly-not-off-to-the-races Chargers in receiving.

Concerning offensive outing

Mike McDaniel’s debut as offensive coordinator was anything but as advertised. Los Angeles didn’t look anything close to what fans expected from the offensive-minded guru, failing to take advantage of Herbert’s skills. McConkey’s setback only dug the Chargers a deeper hole.

On the team’s first drive without him, Herbert threw an interception into the hands of safety Andrew Wingard. When it rains, it pours. And there may be a leak in SoFi Stadium’s roof.

The No. 4 in Arizona is one of the team’s biggest offensive hopes, particularly in the running game. A lot is expected from the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish player, who enjoyed an excellent college football career.

What other options does Mike LaFleur have on the depth chart behind Jeremiyah Love? First up as the primary alternative is Tyler Allgeier, while a little further down the depth chart is Bam Knight.

Jeremiyah Love’s preseason numbers

Selected out of Notre Dame with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Love had a brief but eye-catching preseason debut for the Cardinals. He only suited up for the Week 1 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, putting up solid numbers with 11 carries for 58 rushing yards plus 3 receptions for 15 yards (73 total yards from scrimmage).

After suffering a minor ankle tweak late in that contest, the coaching staff decided to play it safe and hold him out for the rest of the summer, meaning he didn’t log any snaps against either the Dallas Cowboys or the Green Bay Packers.

A difficult start to the season for the Cardinals

Many times, having a great season also depends on having a schedule that is as favorable as possible. The Cardinals, who will look to establish themselves in the NFC West, have one of the toughest starts to the season they could have been given.

• Week 1, at Los Angeles Chargers (September 13)
• Week 2, vs Seattle Seahawks (September 20)
• Week 3, at San Francisco 49ers (September 27)
• Week 4, at New York Giants (October 4)
• Week 5, vs Detroit Lions (October 11)

How to watch Packers vs Cardinals in the USA

The Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals preseason game will be available in the United States through Fubo and NFL+.

Can I watch Packers vs Cardinals for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free trial for eligible new subscribers, making it the option to check for a free way to watch Packers vs. Cardinals. Trial eligibility and the offer displayed at signup should be confirmed before subscribing.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Packers vs. Cardinals preseason finale is less about the final score and more about the decisions it can influence before the regular season. With roster cuts approaching, Friday’s game gives both coaching staffs one last extended look at players competing for jobs, particularly those who have not yet secured a place on the 53-man roster.

For Green Bay, the matchup also comes after the Packers and Cardinals held a joint practice in Green Bay on August 26, giving both teams additional competitive work before their preseason meeting.

Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur spoke ahead of the session about the value of facing another team rather than simply continuing training-camp drills, while the Cardinals have used camp to evaluate several position battles under their new head coach.

The Cardinals have particular interest in the final evaluation period as they continue building under first-year head coach LaFleur. Arizona’s training camp has featured competition across the roster, while the organization has also been working through its quarterback situation with Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett.

What time is the Packers vs Cardinals match?

The Packers vs. Cardinals game kicks off on Friday, August 28, at 8:00 PM ET. The game will be played at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, with the local kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM CT.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

The Green Bay Packers will rest their starters. This means Jordan Love won’t play, instead Kyle McCord will play vs Cardinals. Love, who has been a bit injury prone in his career, must be taken care of and not risked in a meaningless game.

This means backup Tyrod Taylor won’t be playing either. Taylor is more than just a proven veteran, he is a premium backup. Hence, the Packers are trying to see if McCord is worth developing as a QB3.

Is Jacoby Brissett playing for Cardinals vs Packers?

Jacoby Brissett is not playing either, as it seems like a lock that he’ll be the QB1 once the regular season starts. Hence, it will be Gardner Minshew under center against the Packers.

Carson Beck is unlikely to play as he has an ongoing rib injury. The rookie was impressing throughout preseason and this injury has given him a huge momentum stall.

The LaFleur brothers face very different situation

Matt LaFleur has done great with the Packers but he’s also been criticized a bit due to his lack of creativity when playcalling and the fact that he has not been able to win it all with the Packers. Therefore, pressure is on him.

Meanwhile, Mike LaFleur is a first year head coach with a franchise that is not expected to shine at all. He must change the culture and the ways of the Cardinals to turn it all around.

LaFleur revealed a fun tradition he wants the Cardinals to take part in upon arriving at Packers camp, per Donnie Druin of On SI. “It’s a cool place. They got the bikes with the kids and stuff like that, and that’s for a cool cause for the locals. And so we’ll do that too, just like a lot of the other teams do when they joint [practice]. And then there’s a ton of fans there. I mean, it’s Green Bay. What else you gonna do?” LaFleur said.

The Cardinals have gone through three preseason games so far under LaFleur, who was not happy with the squad’s recent performance against the Dallas Cowboys. Now, he prepares to face his brother, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

Igniting the matchup

Older brother Matt set things in motion on Monday by discussing players fighting for roster spots, noting that high stakes could lead to issues during joint practice.

Matt jokingly proposed a solution: if an issue arises, Packers players should tag him in while the Cardinals tag their head coach to “throw down” at the 50-yard line. Mike heard his brother’s comments two minutes before taking the microphone on Monday and offered his response.

Mike initially offered no comment on his brother’s challenge, but left the door open by adding, “We’ll see what happens.” When the joint practice was first announced months ago, the rookie head coach spoke about the excitement of facing his brother while confirming his competitive focus. “I love ya, but I’m going to kick your a**,” Mike said at the time.

The brothers have always maintained a close relationship centered on football, with their career paths frequently intersecting. Most notably, both served on the coaching staff for the Atlanta Falcons during the 2015-16 NFL season, where Matt served as quarterbacks coach and Mike worked as an offensive assistant.

How to watch Cardinals vs Cowboys in the USA

The Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network and Telemundo on Saturday in the United States. For viewers who prefer streaming, the game will be available through Fubo and NFL+.

Can I watch Cardinals vs Cowboys for free?

Fubo currently offers a 5-day free trial on some plans, according to its official U.S. website. Since it carries NFL Network, eligible new subscribers can use the trial to watch the Cardinals vs. Cowboys without paying during the trial period.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, with the game taking place at State Farm Stadium. While the result will not count toward the regular-season standings, the matchup is an important evaluation opportunity for both coaching staffs as they continue shaping their rosters ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Arizona comes into the game after a 27-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, following a 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game. The Cardinals are playing four preseason games this year because of their participation in the Hall of Fame Game, making the matchup with Dallas their third exhibition of the summer.

One of the biggest storylines for Arizona is the status of Jeremiyah Love. The rookie running back, selected No. 3 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries against Las Vegas but suffered an ankle injury and is expected to miss at least one week. His absence gives other running backs an opportunity to make their case as the Cardinals continue evaluating their depth chart.

Dallas also arrives with momentum after opening its preseason with a 17-7 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. The Cowboys’ defense was particularly impressive, allowing just 76 yards over Seattle’s final seven drives, while first-round safety Caleb Downs made his preseason debut.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has already identified areas for improvement ahead of the trip to Arizona, making this game another valuable test for the defense and the players competing for roster spots.

What time is the Cardinals vs Cowboys match?

The Cardinals vs. Cowboys game kicks off on Saturday, August 22, at 10:00 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 10:00 PM
• Central Time: 9:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 8:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 7:00 PM

On the Cardinals’ side, head coach Mike LaFleur announced Thursday that Gardner Minshew II will make his first start for the franchise in Arizona’s lone home preseason game against the Cowboys. LaFleur added that Minshew will play at least half of the game.

Uncertainty remains higher for the Cowboys. Sam Howell started in Week 1 and played well, but Joe Milton delivered an equally impressive performance. While Dallas has not announced a starter yet, allowing Milton to see how he responds remains a logical option. Furthermore, head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that no Cowboys starters will play against Arizona.

How both teams enter Week 2

The Cowboys come off a win at Seattle, where they rallied from a slow start to beat the defending Super Bowl champions. Cardinals opened with a last-play loss to Carolina in a Hall of Fame Game that delivered an instant exhibition classic before routing the Las Vegas Raiders.

Dallas Cowboys hold a 1-0 record this preseason following their opening win at Seattle. Dallas went 7-9-1 during last year’s NFL regular season and aims for a strong campaign in 2026.

Arizona stands at 1-1 this preseason after falling to Carolina in the Hall of Fame Game and defeating the Raiders. Cardinals posted a 3-14 record last year and still have areas to improve as preseason action continues.

Dallas Cowboys kick off against Arizona Cardinals at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Saturday, Aug. 22, on NFL Network as expectations build for the upcoming season.

“He came in yesterday a little bit more sore than he left. He was in great spirits even yesterday… but we’ll keep him out this week as we just let it heal,” the head coach said during his press conference. “So, a little bit more sore than what we were anticipating.”

On August 22, the Cardinals will host the Dallas Cowboys at State Farm Stadium in the Week 2 preseason matchup. It will be a matter of seeing how Love ultimately recovers to determine his availability for this game.

Love’s big Preseason debut in Arizona

In the Arizona Cardinals’ 27-14 preseason victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Jeremiyah Love delivered an impressive opening performance. Love finished with 11 carries for 58 yards while adding three receptions for 14 yards, displaying the versatility that could make him an important piece of the offense.

His dynamic dual-threat ability out of the backfield provided a strong first look at how his playmaking skill set fits into Arizona’s dynamic system. “The whole day, I was trying to get the right mindset,” Love said after the game. “I was just happy and excited to go out there with my guys. This time in shoulder pads and uniform, while representing the Cardinals.”

The Cardinals’ interesting backfield

Love was selected with the third overall pick in the most recent draft to become Arizona’s primary rushing weapon, whether the quarterback is Jacoby Brissett or Carson Beck. However, several other high-caliber names round out this running back room.

• Tyler Allgeier
• James Conner
• Trey Benson
• Corey Kiner
• Bam Knight
• Evan Hull

What’s next for Arizona?

The Arizona Cardinals will return home to host America’s Team for their Week 2 preseason matchup on Saturday, August 22 at State Farm Stadium. They will then close out their exhibition schedule on the road in Week 3, traveling to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers on Friday, August 28.

How to watch Raiders vs Cardinals in the USA

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals will be available to watch on FOX5 Vegas in the Las Vegas market, while fans can also stream the game through NFL+, ESPN Unlimited and Fubo.

Can I watch Raiders vs Cardinals for free?

Yes, eligible viewers can use Fubo‘s 5-day free trial to watch Raiders vs. Cardinals without paying during the trial period. It currently promotes free-trial access for its live sports service and carries the NFL programming needed for the matchup.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Raiders arrive at Allegiant Stadium with very different questions to answer, even though neither team is playing for a regular-season result yet.

Arizona is coming off a 33-30 loss to Carolina in the Hall of Fame Game, where rookie quarterback Carson Beck made an immediate impression by completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. That performance has added intrigue to a quarterback room that already includes veteran Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew.

Las Vegas has an even bigger storyline under center. The Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, but veteran Kirk Cousins remains the projected starter entering the season.

Recent training-camp reports indicate that Cousins continues to lead the competition, although Mendoza has already received opportunities with the first-team offense and impressed during camp. That makes the matchup against Arizona one of the first chances to see how the Raiders manage the balance between their veteran quarterback and their highly touted rookie.

There is also a coaching connection worth watching. Klint Kubiak is beginning his first season as Las Vegas’ head coach, while Mike LaFleur takes over in Arizona.

Both teams are therefore using the preseason to establish new offensive identities, but their circumstances are not identical: the Cardinals are trying to recover from a 3-14 season, while the Raiders are building around a new quarterback investment and a new coaching staff.

What time is the Raiders vs Cardinals match?

The game kicks off on Thursday, August 13, at 8:00 PM ET. Raiders vs. Cardinals will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the local kickoff scheduled for 5:00 PM PT.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

“They’re all going to play,” LaFleur told reporters about how he plans to use the Cardinals’ starters in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL Preseason. “It’s not going to be much. It could be one drive or, maximum two for those main guys. That includes Jacoby [Brissett].”

Brissett didn’t play during Arizona’s last-second loss to Carolina in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. Thus, this will be the first time fans see the Cardinals’ starting quarterback heading into the 2026 NFL season.

Brissett agreed to a contract restructure during the offseason, which only adds to the pressure on him to perform in 2026. An NFL preseason game against the Raiders—in which Brissett will likely only play a drive or two—won’t have any impact, but it will be something to keep an eye on heading into the new campaign.

Who will be Cardinals’ starting QB vs Raiders?

Brissett will likely command the Cardinals’ huddle for the first drive or two of the preseason matchup against the Raiders. However, that will be all fans see from him. Going down Arizona’s depth chart, Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis will replace Brissett against Las Vegas.

Brissett is the No. 1 QB in town and is set to make $15.5 million this season, so the Cardinals will keep him out of harm’s way during the NFL preseason as much and as best as they can.

Why Carson Beck isn’t playing tonight for Cardinals

Most fans hoped to see Carson Beck in the preseason matchup against the Raiders, but the rookie has been ruled out with a rib injury. Beck sustained the setback during the Hall of Fame Game and practiced through soreness and pain all week.

Ultimately, though, Arizona made the wise choice by declaring Beck out. Thus, the second chapter of Beck’s NFL journey through the desert will have to wait. Moreover, there won’t be a rematch—even if only for a few minutes—of the 2026 National Championship Game between Fernando Mendoza and Carson Beck.

Fans want to see Carson Beck

It wasn’t the toughest competition or the biggest of stages, but rookie quarterback Beck made a great first impression during the Hall of Fame Game. The Cardinals’ third-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft showed composure and a needle-threading ability that fans in the desert haven’t seen from a quarterback in a while.

Well aware that Brissett is the starting QB heading into the season and that may be the wiser decision, the fanbase still wants to see Beck more. Everybody knows what Brissett brings to the table; they want to see what Beck can do and whether Arizona has landed its quarterback for the future in the 24-year-old rookie.

Brissett is the sure thing. Arizona knows the veteran can keep them at a constant level, but with few sparks. With Beck, however, anything can happen. As a rookie, he will surely be more irregular, but the peaks may be higher. Injuries may be something to keep an eye on, though, as Beck has missed key moments in his college career due to health issues and will miss an NFL game because of one, too.

Mendoza arrives in Las Vegas after an impressive college career with the Indiana Hoosiers, where he established himself as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the country and helped lead Indiana to a national championship. Now, the former college star faces his first test at the NFL level.

The Raiders are not expected to immediately hand him the starting job. Kirk Cousins remains the veteran favorite to open the regular season as QB1, but Mendoza’s preseason opportunities will be crucial for his development. His first snaps against Arizona will give fans their first look at the quarterback who could become the face of the franchise.

Is Fernando Mendoza playing today for Raiders against Cardinals?

Yes. Fernando Mendoza is expected to play for the Raiders against the Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Preseason Week 1 matchup. The game will give Mendoza his first NFL snaps since being selected No. 1 overall.

While Cousins will be the starting quarterback when the regular season begins, Mendoza should receive an important opportunity to operate the offense and adjust to the speed of professional football.

For the rookie, this is about much more than simply getting preseason reps. The Raiders invested the top pick in the draft on Mendoza because they believe he can eventually become their franchise quarterback. His performance against Arizona will therefore be one of the first major checkpoints in his development.

Who will be the Raiders’ starting QB in the regular season?

Kirk Cousins is expected to begin the 2026 regular season as the Raiders’ starting quarterback. That does not diminish the importance of Mendoza’s preseason debut.

The rookie will have the opportunity to learn from Cousins while gradually taking on more responsibility, giving the Raiders a chance to develop their potential quarterback of the future without rushing him into the starting role. For Raiders fans, however, the most important part is that the wait is over: the No. 1 overall pick is finally getting his first NFL game action.