Cardinals win preseason opener

A closer look at players who seized a chance to prove themselves in the Cardinals 20-17 victory over the Chiefs.

Cardinals Highlight Roster Candidates After Preseason Win Against Chiefs

In Glendale, the Arizona Cardinals beat the Kansas City Chiefs 20-17 in their preseason opener. While the result does not count toward the regular season standings, the game gave rookies and depth players a stage to prove they belong on the 53-man roster. Emari Demercado stood out with a 43-yard screen TD, the longest play of the night, and he added a 13-yard reception. The backfield balance included Zonovan Knight, who rushed for 51 yards on six carries and caught a 10-yard pass. Coaches and veterans alike expressed confidence in Demercado as a multi use option, while Kyler Murray and James Conner voiced optimism about Demercado’s potential.

On defense, Darren Hall grabbed the team’s lone interception and rookie Will Johnson started at cornerback. Xavier Thomas and Jordan Burch showed pass rush potential, with Burch recording pressure on multiple plays. Dante Stills and L J Collier contributed with disruption and a sack respectively, underscoring a disruptive front. In the back end, Kitan Crawford flashed defensive instincts with a third quarter interception in the end zone, and Will Johnson’s early role as a starter gave Arizona a glimpse of its future. On special teams, Will Johnson did not have a fumble on returns while Greg Dortch and DeeJay Dallas each had fumbles, a reminder that the competition for returner jobs remains open.

The game functioned as a live audition for the depth players, not a final verdict. Demercado’s two way contribution — a big play in the passing game and solid blocking in pass protection — positions him as a credible candidate for meaningful snaps. Knight’s 51 yards on the ground adds a trusted backup dimension to the running game, while Weaver’s touchdown and overall play show he could be a solid part of the receiver rotation. The defense also offered encouraging signs, with Hall’s pick and Crawford’s end zone interception suggesting that the Cardinals have capable options behind their starters. Yet the preseason is a small sample; health, consistency, and how players adapt to regular season schedules will matter most as cuts approach. Arizona must balance optimism with discipline, making sure this progress translates into steady performances when the lights are brighter.

Highlights

This is the start of a long roster process for a team building depth.