The Arizona Cardinals will host the Las Vegas Raiders in their final preseason game before the regular season. Arizona did not play the starters last week against the Denver Broncos, and Head Coach Jonathan Gannon told the media his plan for the starters will be “similar to last week”.
In Week 3 of the preseason, the Cardinals will get one last look at the players who are on the bubble.
“I think the guys that are playing, they’re playing for roster spots. They know that. They’re excited about the opportunity, and they’ll play well.” Jonathan Gannon said.
Let’s take a look at three defensive players I will be keeping an eye on this week.
Kyon Barrs
After a successful tryout with the Arizona Cardinals, Kyon Barrs signed with the team a few days before training camp. In two preseason games, Barrs has recorded one solo tackle and four total pressures.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kyon Barrs is currently the 2nd-highest graded overall defender on the Cardinals with an 83.2 grade. The former Arlington Renegade (UFL) is making a strong case to remain with the club.
Elliot Brown
Have you ever watched game tape and planned to study a specific player? However, when you turn on the film, another player flashes. In this case, Cardinals’ pass rusher Elliot Brown caught my attention.
The 6-5, 245-pound edge rusher has been showcasing his spin move throughout the preseason.
Brown played in 53 games at the University of Virginia from 2017 to 2021. In 2023, he signed a contract with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). During his time with the Elks, Brown recorded 44 tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles. His eight sacks tied for the league lead, earning him CFL West All-Star honors in 2024.
Elliot Brown signed a “futures” deal with the Arizona Cardinals in January. Through two preseason games with Arizona, he has recorded three total tackles, one tackle for loss, and three total pressures.
P.J. Mustipher
An undrafted free agent rookie from Penn State (2023), Mustipher has bounced around the league but has yet to find a home. Last year, he spent the entire season on the Cardinals’ practice squad.
P.J. Mustipher signed a “futures” deal with the Cardinals earlier this offseason.
This preseason, Mustipher has collected six total tackles, two tackles for loss, and one total pressure. He earned a solid 74.1 PFF run defense grade against the Broncos. Mustipher has worked tremendously hard this offseason, losing forty pounds, improving his technique, and quickness in the process.
“I’m down like 40 pounds right now. But at the same time, my strength has kind of gone up,” Mustipher said on The Cardinals Locker Room Show. “It’s just sacrificing. I thought I was too heavy last year in camp…So getting that down was big for me.”
Now or Never
The Cardinals have bolstered their defensive front this offseason. However, with first-round draft pick Walter Nolen III likely to start the season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, opportunity knocks.
The preseason finale is the last chance for these players to make an impression on the Cardinals’ coaching staff, front office, and the rest of the NFL.
“The tape you put out there is not just for our team, it’s 31 other teams,” Gannon said. “If it happens where you don’t fit our team for whatever reason, there are 31 other opportunities. If you put good tape out there, you can fit that team, too.”
Arizona Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort and Head Coach Jonathan Gannon will have some difficult decisions to make ahead of the 53-man roster deadline at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, August 26th.
–Follow Dan Loya on X (formerly Twitter) @DLoya_NFL
