Arizona Cardinals Fall Short in Preseason Opener Against Saints

Arizona Cardinals Preseason Opener Recap

The Arizona Cardinals recently faced off against the New Orleans Saints in their preseason opener , where quarterback Desmond Ridder and Clayton Tune battled for the QB2 spot . Unfortunately , the Cardinals dropped the game to the Saints with a score of 16 - 14 . Ridder started the game but faced challenges early on , including being sacked by Nathan Shepherd and Carl Granderson.

In the second quarter , the Saints quarterback Jake Haener led his team down the field and secured a field goal , giving them a 3 - 0 lead . The Cardinals struggled to convert on crucial drives , resulting in turnovers on downs . Despite a strong effort , the Cardinals found themselves trailing going into halftime.

Tune took over at quarterback in the second half and managed to lead the offense to some success . He orchestrated an 11 - yard touchdown run by Michael Carter , putting the Cardinals ahead 7 - 6 . Tune continued to impress in the fourth quarter , throwing a touchdown pass to Tony Jones Jr. to tie the game at 14 - 13.

Clayton Tune 's Stellar Performance

Tune 's performance in the game did not go unnoticed , with head coach Jonathan Gannon praising his play against the Saints . Tune finished the game with 15 completions on 24 attempts , 163 passing yards , and a touchdown . Despite the loss , Tune 's efforts were commendable and showcased his potential as a valuable asset to the team.

Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. also made his NFL debut in the game , playing one drive in the first half but was not targeted during the game . Gannon provided insights into Harrison 's performance and what he gained from his first NFL experience.

Rookies Making an Impact

First - round pick Darius Robinson had a notable start at defensive tackle , making the first tackle of the game and contributing to the Saints punting . Additionally , third - round pick Trey Benson showcased his skills by rushing eight times for 21 yards in the game . The Cardinals ' rookies are beginning to make their mark on the team , adding depth and talent to the roster as they continue to develop throughout the preseason.