Arizona Cardinals get away with victory over Chargers

The Arizona Cardinals made it through with just one injury in game one of the preseason Saturday night

It wasn’t pretty but it sure was entertaining.  The Arizona Cardinals were able to come away with a hard fought win over the Los Angeles Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium.

We got to see the debut of rookie quarterback Josh Rosen and the new quarterback on the block Sam Bradford.  We also got to see the return of running back David Johnson.

Johnson had two carries for 28-yards.  He looks like he is ready to go.  There is no reason to have him do much more than a couple of carries each week until the regular season starts on September 9th.

The first team offensive line looked very good.  It is clear this team is going to be running, and running quite a lot.

Bradford threw the ball once.  Technically twice but the first throw was negated by a penalty, a theme on the evening.

Rosen didn’t have much to work with.  The backup offensive line protecting him didn’t do a good job doing so.

As for the Chargers, they didn’t look much better, although backup quarterback Geno Smith did throw one long touchdown pass in the third quarter, a 47-yard score to receiver Geremy Davis. If I’m a Chargers fan, I’d hope Cardale Jones wins the backup behind Philip Rivers, who did not play on Saturday night.

The Cardinals defense won this game despite the yardage given up.  They came away with three fumbles and an interception and should have had several other balls picked off.

The defense scored a touchdown on one of those fumbles.  Linebacker Jeremy Cash scored one on of those, a 12-yard scamper that was reviewed and upheld.  Unfortunately Cash was the team’s one major injury for the evening.

Cash was carted off the field.  Per reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it appears Cash could be done for 2018.  It’s too bad, he was having himself a night.

Now the Cardinals move on to preseason week two.  They return to practice on Monday but it is a short week as they travel to face the New Orleans Saints on Friday night.

Note that Monday’s practice at University of Phoenix Stadium will be in the afternoon from 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.  It will be the final open practice of Cardinals Training Camp 2018.