The training camp of Palmer, Mathieu and hamstrings takes a brief break so the Cardinals can open the preseason Saturday night against the Chiefs. It figures to be what should always be expected in the first preseason game of the season -- some good play, but also some stumbling out of the blocks. Vanilla offense and defense. A big game for those playing especially in the second half, because those are the guys fighting to stay on the roster. And as always, fingers crossed no one gets hurt.

Carson Palmer will get to make an appearance and that's amazing, given that he tore his ACL last November. But as we've said multiple times, Palmer has been excellent in camp and now, it's about the reality of exposing him to another team. He has to get ready for the regular season, even if Bruce Arians acknowledged he'd rather put him in bubble wrap for now.

Some other things to watch Saturday:

-- It's about time for Logan Thomas. He will get a lot of playing time. This is where he has to make a push to convince the Cardinals he will fit. His performance in the preseason opener last year was what first caught everyone's eye. We'll see if he can repeat that, and push aside a lot of the questions that surround him these days.

-- Arians said there were a ton of players he wants to see, and it's hard to disagree. Among what I'll be watching: Jonathan Cooper as starting right guard. Tackle D.J. Humphries. Outside linebackers Markus Golden and LaMarr Woodley. Summer sensation tight end Ifeanyi Momah. Wide receiver J.J. Nelson. Undrafted rookie cornerback Cariel Brooks. All those undrafted inside linebackers, including Gabe Martin (pictured below).

-- Defensive coordinator James Bettcher moves from the press box to the sideline. He's been calling plays in practice, but now we get a chance to see what it's like in a game.

-- It's a great story from the Chiefs side that safety Eric Berry -- who was battling cancer last year -- will be back on the field and playing.

-- Watch the defensive linemen. With all those guys, someone is going to be out by the end of the preseason, either through trade or being cut. That'll make for an intense competition.

OK. Football is back.