With nine training camp practices in the books and Arizona closing in on its 10th, there’s already enough out there to tempt anyone into drawing big conclusions. The Cardinals’ work at State Farm Stadium has offered plenty to chew on - from who’s lining up where to the first depth chart and the missing faces on the sideline.
But not every camp storyline deserves the same weight. A couple of the early takes need to be parked for now, while one situation already feels worth keeping a close eye on.
Carson Beck is a good place to start. His camp has already swung from one extreme to the other.
Early on, his first run of work left plenty to question. His ball placement was off, and outside of the checkdowns, there wasn’t much to hang your hat on during that first week.
Then the last few practices changed the tone. Beck has stacked together several of his best days and looked much more comfortable.
That’s exactly why the verdict should stay on hold. He’s a rookie quarterback taken in the third round, and this is the kind of up-and-down you expect while he’s still getting real reps.
He was never as rough as the worst reactions suggested, and he’s not ready for any crown just because the recent practices have gone better.
The same goes for Arizona’s first depth chart. Tyler Allgeier sits at RB1, with Love listed behind him and working with the second-stringers.
On paper, that can look like a pretty clear pecking order. In reality, it’s not that simple.
Love has been excelling and has been splitting reps with Allgeier, even if the veteran has the edge in the numbers department. Arizona is going to use Love plenty, and by the end of the season it would be a major surprise if he isn’t leading the running back room in touches. The talent is obvious, and the coaching staff knows it.
The one situation that does deserve concern is Josh Sweat. He opened camp on the PUP list and still doesn’t have a clear timetable for returning.
That alone would raise an eyebrow, but the bigger issue is the lack of clarity around his status. Arizona said he wasn’t injured during his absence at minicamp and OTAs, yet he also hasn’t been seen on the sideline during camp practices.
The whole thing has a strange feel to it. The Cardinals have been careful about saying exactly what’s keeping Sweat out or when he’ll be back.
The team insists he’s not unhappy and says he should be ready soon, though that phrase leaves plenty of room for more questions. Until there’s a real answer, the uncertainty around Sweat isn’t going anywhere.
In Other News...
Walter Nolen Faces Big Year As Cardinals Wait For Breakout
Walter Nolen entered the league with plenty of buzz when Arizona took him 16th overall in 2025, and his first season offered a little of everything except the full breakout the Cardinals were hoping to see. He appeared in six games without a start, flashed with 11 tackles, two sacks and five quarterback hits, and also had to navigate a calf injury and a meniscus tear along the way. Now healthy, he has also reshaped his body this offseason, dropping weight and saying he feels more explosive heading into a year that carries a lot more expectation.
The Cardinals have reason to believe the next step is there, especially after a minor issue in practice did not turn into anything more serious. For a defense that wants more disruption from the interior, Nolens jump matters, and the team has been open about wanting more productivity from a player drafted to be a difference-maker. The talent is obvious, the health is better, and the pressure is on for him to turn those flashes into something Arizona can count on every week. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Backfield Battle Just Got More Crowded In Camp
The Cardinals added another layer to their backfield evaluation this week by claiming running back Evan Hull off waivers and bringing in Jermar Jefferson for a workout as training camp continues to sort out the depth chart. Hull arrives after stops with the Texans, Colts, Steelers and Saints, giving Arizona another option to examine as the competition for reserve snaps and practice reps keeps building.
Arizona also used the waiver wire to add defensive tackle Cam Horsley, a move that required parting with defensive tackle Coziah Izzard and wide receiver Tejhuan Palmer to clear room. Horsley comes over after being waived by the Titans following a brief stint with the team, and while the extra additions help across the roster, the more interesting storyline for the Cardinals remains how many bodies they keep cycling through the running back group before camp starts to narrow. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Radio Booth Enters A New Era After Familiar Voice Exits
A familiar part of Cardinals game days is changing this fall, with Arizona turning to J.P. Shadrick as its new radio play-by-play voice. Shadrick brings more than two decades in sports broadcasting to the job, and his rsum includes time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Westwood One Sports, giving the Cardinals a veteran presence as they reshape the sound of their broadcasts.
He takes over for Dave Pasch, who spent 24 years in the role before stepping down to move into a new position with ESPN. For listeners, it marks the end of one long run and the start of another, with Shadrick now tasked with building his own connection to a fan base that has grown accustomed to Paschs voice over the years. [Read more 🡒]