The NFL is finally back!
Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game not only honors those being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, but also gives fans their first taste of game action since the Super Bowl.
Advertisement
Each year, teams are chosen for this game based on who is being inducted into the Hall of Fame that year. With Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly being inducted this weekend, the Cardinals and Panthers were selected for the game.
Playing in the Hall of Fame Game also gives the teams more time to evaluate their players. Whereas the other 30 teams in the NFL will play three preseason games, the Cardinals and Panthers will play four because of the Hall of Fame Game.
Starters are not expected to take the field, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t storylines to watch. Arizona, for example, will be starting third-round rookie quarterback Carson Beck under center.
Carolina will start Kenny Pickett under center, but undrafted rookie Haynes King is expected to get a chance to prove himself in his NFL debut.
Advertisement
Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | Canton, OH
TV channel/live stream: NBC, Peacock
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news and highlights as the Cardinals and Panthers face off in the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game.
-
Teddy Ricketson
The Arizona Cardinals will be without No. 3 overall draft pick Jeremiyah Love on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers.
Head coach Mike LaFleur told reporters ahead of practice Wednesday that the rookie running back will not be suiting up Thursday night.
Reports about Love have been good through training camp. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said that everyone can see the running back’s explosiveness.
Third-round selection Carson Beck will be starting at quarterback. Veteran QB Jacoby Brissett will not play, so Beck is expected to get a good amount of reps in the game.
The other quarterbacks on Arizona’s roster are Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis as the Cardinals look to determine Brissett’s backup to begin the season.
-
Kate Magdziuk
Here’s a look at the odds for the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game via FanDuel Sportsbook:
-
Point spread: Panthers -1.5
-
Moneyline odds: Panthers -124, Cardinals +106
-
-
Kate Magdziuk
We wouldn’t have the 2026 Hall of Fame Game without … you know, the Hall of Fame. So, presenting the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026:
Also, in case you’ve forgotten, Bill Belichick will notably not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year despite being eligible. Click here to refresh yourself on that controversy.
Read the full article here