The Shape Of Roles, And Friday Before The Broncos

The Cardinals are still 11 days out from having to cut the roster from 91 to 53. Two preseason games, and a handful of practices remain.

But as Jonathan Gannon noted coming into this week and the joint practice/game with the Broncos, roles are starting to take shape. And so it’s interesting to look at the positions that seem to have the greatest intensity when it comes to who might be in and who might be out.

• OL: The knee injury to Christian Jones and the return of Will Hernandez changes this equation from a 10 days ago. Rookies Hayden Conner and Josh Fryar seem to have earned some attention. But beyond Kelvin Beachum (and until Hernandez comes off PUP), the rest of the non-starters seems TBD.
• CB: It’s hard not to notice Darren Hall, who is doing the same this year as he did last year (and in earning a surprise spot on the 53.) Rookie Denzel Burke is getting a lot of time to show what he has. Second-year man Elijah Jones seems like he has ground to make up. This second preseason game feels crucial for guys not named Garrett Williams, Will Johnson and Max Melton.
• WR: This position is a lot about numbers. MHJ, Michael Wilson and Zay Jones are guys who are going to be here. Greg Dortch still seems likely, but are you keeping five wideouts? If not, would a special teamer like Semi Fehoko be needed? Can Xavier Weaver find his way in there?
• DL: This is a position that has gotten interesting in a reverse way. Walter Nolen III is still on PUP (if he stays there to start the season, he must miss four games.) Same with Bilal Nichols. Justin Jones hasn’t practiced in a long while because of his knee. Will this position be sorted out before coaches have to make choices?

There are other spots that have some of that, of course, but that’s my spotlight.

— Gannon’s last meeting with the media came before Thursday’s practice, and he acknowledged that day’s work would impact “a good amount” what he was going to do with the starters against the Broncos.

Apparently it went well, because Broncos coach Sean Payton said after practice “neither Jonathan or myself are going to play the ones” in the game. (Payton did acknowledge there will be a few of his starters that will make an appearance; I don’t know if Gannon would do the same.)

— Payton also said that he and Gannon have already had some preliminary talks of a joint practice in 2026 as well. He added that of the dozen or so joint practices he’s been a part of as a coach, the…