ARIZONA - The Arizona Cardinals play host to the Dallas Cowboys today for preseason game No. 3 on 2026's schedule.
The Cardinals return to State Farm Stadium for the first time since ending training camp for their lone exhibition battle, as three of their total four preseason games are on the road.
Here's the five biggest things we're watching for when action begins at 7:00 PM AZ time.
The Cardinals' running back depth chart is established, at least at the top. Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier are 1A and 1B while James Conner figures to be the third back - when healthy.
Bam Knight has an opportunity to firmly establish himself among Arizona 's pecking order as RB4, and if the Cardinals do indeed decide to keep four players at the spot, a strong performance from Knight (especially with Trey Benson still out due to injury) can really swing the pendulum in his favor.
That's not just speaking offensively, as he'll need to perform well as a special teams asset to justify his presence on the final 53-man roster.
Similar to running back, the Cardinals' receiver's room will have some tough decisions to be made. All of Marvin Harrison Jr. , Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne are firmly established while Devin Duvernay and Reggie Virgil are considered to be safe, too.
If the Cardinals want a sixth receiver, that leaves one spot with numerous guys playing well at the moment. All of Jalen Brooks , Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Simi Fehoko are battling for what's considered to be the final receiver spot.
Similar to Knight, special teams will also play a factor in any of the aforementioned players making the roster. Brooks has been gaining momentum lately for the job after Smith-Marsette was training camp's early leader in the clubhouse.
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said some starters will play while others won't. We know Jacoby Brissett won't participate, though most others (not related to injury at least) are still up in the air.
Who plays could be particularly telling, as it won't exactly be a glaring endorsement on those who will find themselves on the field for either depth chart or overall roster reasons.
Pay attention to whatever big names are playing tonight, it could be more meaningful than you think - especially with starters very likely not participating in next week's finale against Green Bay.
Darius Robinson and BJ Ojulari both entered the desert as high draft picks with potential that's been unfulfilled thus far. A mix of injuries and inability to impact the quarterback have held back the defensive end and outside linebacker, respectively.
Robinson and Ojulari both failed to impress last week in Las Vegas . Robinson again has had a strong training camp but didn't make noise against the Raiders while Ojulari, playing in both of Arizona's preseason battles thus far, hasn't quite been able to find his rookie season form.
One (if not both) needs to step up against the Cowboys to show some sign of progress ahead of their respective 2026 seasons. Back to back underwhelming performances won't cut it for either side.
The Cardinals' front seven needs somebody to emerge, and Robinson/Ojulari are near the top of that list.
Garrett Williams was activated off the PUP list this week, giving the Cardinals a much-needed boost in the secondary. Williams will man slot corner duties while also getting run in base sets opposite of Will Johnson .
Yet how will Arizona deploy its third cornerback when using Williams in the slot for 11 personnel matching? All of Denzel Burke , Starling Thomas , Max Melton , Sean Murphy-Bunting, Elijah Jones , and Kei'Trel Clark are battling for not only playing time, but also roster spots in yet another competitive room.
There hasn't quite been any standout performances thus far. If the Cardinals can get somebody - anybody - to elevate their game against the Cowboys, that might just help clear up the picture in some form or fashion.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/cardinals/onsi as 5 Biggest Questions Cardinals Need Answered vs. Cowboys .
