TEMPE, Ariz. -- Thursday night's preseason finale at the Denver Broncos won't just be critical for the Arizona Cardinals' rookies -- drafted and undrafted -- who are trying to prove the can bring value to the Cards' 53-man roster.
It's an important opportunity for a slew of veterans who are trying to earn starting jobs.
Here are five Cardinals to watch Thursday night:
Earl Watford, T: Watford will be playing for his season Thursday night. Well, at least the first three games of it. He impressed at right tackle against Oakland's Khalil Mack, but how will Watford do for the majority of a game? That question will be answered Thursday night. If he blows coaches away, he may just end up starting in Week 1 in place of Bobby Massie and Bradley Sowell, who's been penciled in as Massie's replacement.
Sean Weatherspoon, ILB: Two days after his first practice since the first day of training camp, Weatherspoon will see his first game action of the preseason. It's a major mark for Weatherspoon, who's played in just seven games in the last two years because of injuries. And it'll be telling. He'll either prove that he's fully healthy from a lingering hamstring injury or he'll show that he's rusty from missing all of last year. Either way, Arizona just hopes he doesn't reinjure himself.
Gabe Martin, ILB: He's among the brightest players on the team but he's fallen behind fellow rookie Alani Fua for the final inside linebacker spot, in my opinion. Fua has his unique size going for him. Martin will have to play lights out to win that spot on the 53 away from Fua. If he doesn't, Martin will still have a job on the practice squad.
Lyle Sendlein, C: Don't be surprised if Sendlein starts the regular season as the Cardinals' starting center. His experience in the Cardinals' offense is invaluable as his size. On Sunday night in Oakland, A.Q. Shipley got pushed around by former Cardinal Dan Williams.
Kenny Demens, ILB: He's been a staple on special teams the last two seasons but with rookie Fua coming into his own, Demens may be in risk of missing the cut. It'll depend on how many inside linebackers Arizona wants to keep. It'll also depend on how Weatherspoon plays Thursday. If he looks healthy, Arizona will likely keep him, Kevin Minter and Fua. And with Deone Bucannon playing inside linebacker more than he plays safety, Arizona doesn't need to keep five inside backers. He's a possible practice squad addition.