The preseason closes Saturday night at State Farm Stadium, where the Las Vegas Raiders meet the Arizona Cardinals. The scoreboard won’t matter, but roster spots will. Both teams are approaching the finale with different strategies as cutdown day nears.
Are Geno Smith and Other Raiders’ Starters Playing Against Arizona Tonight?
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said his approach will be “similar to last week,” meaning Kyler Murray, James Conner, and Marvin Harrison Jr. are not expected to play. Arizona’s goal is to evaluate depth across the roster before final cuts.
The Raiders, under new head coach Pete Carroll, are doing the opposite. Carroll confirmed this week that his plan is for starters to be “live” against Arizona. Still, that doesn’t mean every veteran will play long. Quarterback Geno Smith is unlikely to take more than a brief series, while running back Ashton Jeanty, the team’s No. 6 overall pick, and defensive star Maxx Crosby are also expected to see limited or no action.
Carroll emphasized execution over flash in his pregame message: “I want to see them go out knowing that there’s a lot on the line, and play like they’re capable. I don’t want them to do nothing crazy. I want them to be the best version of themselves in the face of all that may be built up in their minds.”
Which Young Raiders Will Get Their Chance Tonight?
For Las Vegas, this finale is about deciding the back end of the roster. Carroll and his staff have spotlighted depth battles at wide receiver, where younger players are pushing for the final two spots, and along the offensive line, where versatility could prove decisive.
Defensively, Crosby’s absence puts more snaps on the rotation of younger edge rushers and interior linemen. Special teams will also weigh heavily, as it often determines which bubble players survive the final cut.
Arizona’s focus is similar but starts even deeper down the roster. With Murray and other top names resting, backup quarterbacks and skill players will carry the load. For rookies and special-teams hopefuls, the reps in Glendale could decide whether they stick on the 53-man roster or end up on the practice squad.
Kickoff is set for Saturday, August 23, at 7:00 p.m. PT (10:00 p.m. ET) from State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The game will air locally on FOX5 Las Vegas (KVVU) and Cardinals regional affiliates, with a national broadcast on NFL Network and streaming on NFL+.
With Arizona resting its stars and Carroll opting to give his first unit at least a taste of live action, the preseason finale is less about results and more about proof. For rookies and roster hopefuls, every snap will be a final argument for their place in the NFL.
