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Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals: 3 things to watch

By Pete Hernandez III

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 18: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders slides just before getting hit by Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. Raiders won 23-21. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 18: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders slides just before getting hit by Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. Raiders won 23-21. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 10: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders stands on the sidelines during their NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at RingCentral Coliseum on August 10, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 10: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders stands on the sidelines during their NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at RingCentral Coliseum on August 10, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Which starters will see action?

Appearing on The Athletic‘s State of the Nation podcast, Derek Carr emphasized the declining importance of the preseason, reiterating that he needed “only one drive” to get ready for the upcoming season. Across the league, the likelihood of starters playing during the preseason is dwindling. The matter of fact is that the risk of injury in a meaningless August is too great.

Still, if Carr is correct, then he should need only one offensive drive with the starters in order to work out the kinks before the season truly begins. Is it possible that we see that sole drive Thursday night in Arizona?

Jon Gruden may want Carr out there to get a feel for his chemistry with the receivers, even if Antonio Brown presumably does not suit up. On the defensive side of the ball, injuries forced the likes of Arden Key to play late into the fourth quarter against the Rams. Might we see some starters out there and other potential key players lined up for a majority of snaps?

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