The Denver Broncos get a chance to show how things are looking when they face the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL preseason Week 2 game on Saturday, Aug. 16. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. E.T. at Empower Field at Mile High.
Arizona opened its preseason with a 20-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Both the Broncos and Cardinals are looking to improve on their 2024 seasons. Denver finished 10-7 and in third place in the AFC West. The Broncos made the postseason but lost to the Buffalo Bills 31-7 in the AFC wild-card game. It was Denver’s first winning season since 2016 and its first postseason appearance since 2015.
The Cardinals finished 8-9 and in third place in the NFC West. Arizona missed the postseason entirely. Here’s a look at what might happen for Denver in regard to its starters against Arizona.
Are Bo Nix and Other Broncos Starters Playing Against Arizona Tonight?
If Broncos fans were hoping to see starting quarterback Bo Nix take the field against Arizona, it’s not going to happen. Head coach Sean Payton has made it clear that Nix and other Denver starters will not play. For fantasy players, Nix might still be worth a look, according to PFSN’s Jason Katz.
With Nix out, Payton might turn to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to lead the offense.
In Denver’s 30-9 victory against the San Francisco 49ers last week, some first-team players saw action on both offense and defense. Before that game, the Broncos had a joint practice with San Francisco, then followed it with a joint practice Thursday against Arizona. That’s a lot of work for the starters.
“Neither (Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon) or myself are going to play the No. 1s,” Payton said Thursday, according to The Denver Post. “Now, there will be a few – there’s five or six players that are on an eight-play pitch count that we consider No. 1s, but maybe have a lack of reps or for whatever reason.
“So we’re really going to feature two phases (instead of three),” Payton said. “When I say the No. 2s, don’t read into that. Basically, we’re going to have a first half and a second half, but the front line, o-line, d-line, quarterback, corners, receivers, I’m going to sit those guys because of the uniqueness of two (joint practices) in a week’s time.”
Which Young Broncos Will Get Their Chance Tonight?
Denver added a number of rookies to its 2025 roster, including cornerback Jahdae Barron, who played at Texas, and running back RJ Harvey. Wide receiver Pat Bryant could see some targets against the Cardinals.
On defense, lineman Sai’vion Jones and linebackers Que Robinson, JB Brown, and Karene Reid could see action.
Getting these young players time on the field during preseason lets Denver’s coaches gauge how much improvement they’ve shown from last week.
Payton will be keeping a close eye on all his players as he faces tough decisions to get the Broncos down to a 53-man roster.
