Which Cardinals helped their cause vs. Packers as 53-man roster cuts loom?

The Arizona Cardinals’ 42-38 loss to the Green Bay Packers presented one last opportunity for players fighting to crack the initial 53-man roster.

So, who made that final push on Friday night?

Let’s dive right in.

Better late than never?

A whole lot of eyeballs have been fixed on pass rusher BJ Ojulari this training camp and preseason.

The fourth-year pro entered camp on the roster bubble after being a projected starter in 2024 before a catastrophic knee injury wrecked that potential.

Eku Leota’s emergence this preseason only added to the numbers crunch, especially with just one or two spots up for grabs behind Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Baron Browning and Jordan Burch.

Ojulari’s increased preseason snap counts on defense and special teams also paints the picture of someone fighting for a roster spot.

On Friday, though, Ojulari made the most of his reps with 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and a pair of QB hits.

allll over that 🤝 @0julari #AZvsGB | 📺 AZ Family pic.twitter.com/lweQGMQ5YW

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 29, 2026

But was it enough to make up lost ground in his battle with Leota for that final spot?

Throughout camp and the preseason, Leota has popped with consistent pressure. The veteran registered 0.5 sacks and two QB hits on Friday. He also has the special teams chops.

If it comes down to five spots, I think Leota still has the edge, though Ojulari showed more than he had all camp/preseason throughout Friday’s tilt.

Couple of Cardinals wide receivers continue to impress

When it comes to Arizona’s top pass catchers this preseason, it’s hard not to start with Jalen Brooks and Simi Fehoko.

The duo again stood out Friday night, with Fehoko adding another explosive to his exhibition resume on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Gardner Minshew II.

Gardner Minshew goes long to Simi Fehoko 🎯

Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5bQw8Mur9R

— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2026

It wasn’t all perfect, with Fehoko dropping a short pass later on, but Fehoko continues to check the right boxes this training camp.

He finished with 94 yards and two scores on five catches (eight targets).

Brooks, meanwhile, has been as consistent as they come. He reeled in all four of his targets for 57 yards against the Packers.

There are going to be some serious decisions at wide receiver for the Cardinals.

On top of Fehoko and Brooks showing out, rookie Reggie Virgil has made some spectacular catches.

Devin Duvernay is expected to be Arizona’s primary return man, while Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kendrick Bourne are locked in.

Keeping six wideouts seems like the move, meaning one of Fehoko, Brooks and Virgil is likely not making the cut.

Between the three, the odd man out could still be Fehoko, who was among 53-man roster cuts last year before rejoining the team.

Separation in the CBs battle?

Like Arizona’s wide receivers room, the cornerbacks room has been among the most competitive position groups this camp and preseason.

The roster squeeze appears to be coming down to Elijah Jones and Starling Thomas V for that final spot.

On Friday, it was Thomas who had the upper hand.

With Jones struggling in coverage, Thomas ended the night with a pass defensed and fumble recovery.

Spears + Star on the fumble recovery ✅#AZvsGB | 📺 AZ Family pic.twitter.com/iFmMY3V0To

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 29, 2026

Thomas also had his struggles, mainly a late pass interference call in the fourth quarter.

The Evan Hull showcase

Running back Evan Hull flashed his speed and aggression against the Packers with 107 yards and a pair of scores on 16 carries. He added one catch for 11 yards.

His highlight of the evening was a 47-yard TD scamper in the second quarter.

Evan Hull reached a max speed of 21.62 mph on this 47-yard TD, per @NextGenStats 💨

That's the fastest by a ball carrier this preseason 🔥

Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/G5f8ZtiHPL

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) August 29, 2026

Unless something changes in Arizona’s running backs room, Hull isn’t expected to make Arizona’s initial 53-man roster even with the strong showing.

But sticking around on the Cardinals’ practice squad is a possibility. Same with another team kicking the tires on the running back following cuts.

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