Five Arizona Cardinals Players to Watch at Hall of Fame Game

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 16: The Arizona Cardinals logo is seen on a flag before the Cardinals take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 16: The Arizona Cardinals logo is seen on a flag before the Cardinals take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 16: The Arizona Cardinals logo is seen on a flag before the Cardinals take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 16: The Arizona Cardinals logo is seen on a flag before the Cardinals take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals take the field for their first preseason game on Thursday, but some unfamiliar faces will be playing

After a long offseason, accompanied by many changes, football finally returns this week for the Arizona Cardinals. The preseason isn’t the same as the games that count, but it’s an important time of year, where guys get a chance, sometimes their only one, to show what they can do.

On Thursday, the Cardinals open the preseason against the Dallas Cowboys. Fans of the team are chomping at the bit to see them back after a disappointing 2016. This contest won’t be an indication of how good they’ll be, but it’s a step in that direction.

Head coach Bruce Arians doesn’t plan to play any starters in this opening act, so fans will get an extended look at the depth and the young players that will make up the future. It’ll be a big step toward deciding on the final roster.

For both coaches and fans, it’ll be an interesting glance at the rookies and backups who don’t normally see the field a lot. Here are five guys who bear watching on Thursday.

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