Hall of Fame Game

9:33 pm ET

Halftime score: Cardinals and Panthers tied 17-17 at the break

Jacob Camenker

The 2026 Hall of Fame game has been one of the most explosive in recent memory. Arizona and Carolina combined to score 34 points in the second quarter alone and have seen each quarterback perform well thus far.

Carson Beck has been the big star of the first half. The third-round rookie has exceeded expectations, completing 11 of 14 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown while showing a strong, downfield connection with Jalen Brooks. Beck has looked poised while demonstrating great accuracy throughout the contest.

On the other side, Kenny Pickett enjoyed a quality showing – completing 8 of 11 passes for 62 yards – before being replaced by undrafted rookie Haynes King, who threw a touchdown on his first drive.

Both teams have gotten solid showings from their running backs as well. Bam Knight and Corey Kiner have combined for 78 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries for the Cardinals while AJ Dillon has three carries for 18 yards and a score for the Panthers.

9:25 pm ET

Cardinals vs. Panthers score update: Arizona settles for field goal after Carson Beck sacked for first time

Jacob Camenker

The Panthers finally got some pressure on Beck after failing to do so for much of the game. Jared Harrison-Hunte, a second-year player from SMU, notched a sack on third down to force the Cardinals into a field goal attempt.

Chad Ryland converted on the 35-yard kick despite pressure from the Panthers to put the Cardinals back on top.

Cardinals 17, Panthers 14

9:16 pm ET

Panthers draft picks 2026

Jacob Camenker

The Panthers selected seven players in the 2026 NFL Draft. Below is a look at who they selected.

Round 1, Pick 19: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Round 2, Pick 49: DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Round 3, Pick 83: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

Round 4, Pick 129: CB Will Lee, Texas A&M

Round 5, Pick 144: C Sam Hecht, Kansas State

Round 5, Pick 151: S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State

Round 7, Pick 227: LB Jackson Kuwatch, Miami (OH)

The Panthers aren't playing any starters in the Hall of Fame game, so Freeling isn't expected to be on the field. Carolina also lost Brazzell to a season-ending knee injury, so he won't get a chance to make his impact felt until 2027.

9:10 pm ET

Cardinals vs. Panthers score update: Haynes King finds Ja'seem Reed for 15-yard TD

Jacob Camenker

The Panthers and Cardinals are continuing to go back and forth. This time, King – who entered the game to replace Kenny Pickett – found Reed wide open coming across the middle of the field. Reed easily skated into the end zone, untouched.

Ryan Fitzgerald made the extra point, and the Panthers and Cardinals are once again level.

Cardinals 14, Panthers 14

9:00 pm ET

Cardinals vs. Panthers score update: Carson Beck throws first TD to Simi Fehoko

Jacob Camenker

Beck is now officially on the board, as he hit Fehoko, a veteran receiver, for a 5-yard touchdown on a third-and-4 near the goal-line. The third-round rookie showed impressive accuracy on the throw, which led Fehoko to the back corner of the end zone.

Chad Ryland made the extra point and the Cardinals are back on top.

Cardinals 14, Panthers 7

8:57 pm ET

Jalen Brooks lit up after catching 49-yard pass from Carson Beck

Jacob Camenker

For the second time in the game, Beck found Brooks on a deep pass down the sideline. The 24-year-old rookie may have underthrown the veteran receiver slightly, but Brooks was able to reel it in before being walloped by Panthers safety Lathan Ransom.

Beck has now completed 9 of 10 passes for 129 yards across the early stages of Thursday's game.

8:54 pm ET

Kenny Pickett career timeline, teams

Jacob Camenker

Pickett has bounced around the NFL since being a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. The Panthers are his fifth team in as many seasons, and he will be hoping to earn a long-term role as Bryce Young's backup in Carolina.

Below is a full look at Pickett's career timeline:

Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23)

Philadelphia Eagles (2024)

Cleveland Browns (2025)

Las Vegas Raiders (2025)

Carolina Panthers (2026)

Pickett has a 16-11 record as a starter and won Super Bowl 59 with the Philadelphia Eagles while serving as Jalen Hurts' backup.

8:52 pm ET

Cardinals vs. Panthers score update: AJ Dillon powers in Carolina TD

Jacob Camenker

Dillon, a seven-year veteran in his first season with the Panthers, checked into the game for the first time on Carolina's first drive of the second quarter. He handled three touches and turned them into 23 yards and capped off the drive with a powerful, 1-yard touchdown burst to answer Corey Kiner's score for the Cardinals.

Ryan Fitzgerald converted on the extra point, and the Hall of Fame game is once again all tied up.

Cardinals 7, Panthers 7

8:47 pm ET

Cardinals draft picks 2026

Jacob Camenker

The Cardinals selected seven players in the 2026 NFL Draft. They are as follows:

Round 1, Pick 3: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Round 2, Pick 34: G Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

Round 3, Pick 65: QB Carson Beck, Miami (FL)

Round 4, Pick 104: DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana

Round 5, Pick 143: WR Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech

Round 6, Pick 183: LB Karson Sharar, Iowa

Round 7, Pick 217: OT Jayden Williams, Ole Miss

Beck will be the top Arizona rookie to watch against Carolina in the Hall of Fame game. The Miami product is starting for the Cardinals and figures to get a lot of action in his NFL debut.

Those hoping to see Love suit up will have to wait another week. Mike LaFleur announced the No. 3 overall pick will not play against the Panthers.

8:44 pm ET

Cardinals vs. Panthers score update: Corey Kiner opens scoring with 1-yard TD run

Jacob Camenker

The Cardinals got on the board first, as Kiner punched in a 1-yard touchdown to cap off a 13-play, 96-yard drive. Chad Ryland converted the extra point and Arizona is holding an early 7-point advantage.

Cardinals 7, Panthers 0

8:41 pm ET

Cardinals vs. Panthers score: Scoreless after first quarter

Jacob Camenker

Neither Arizona nor Carolina scored in the opening quarter, but the Cardinals are close to doing so. Carson Beck helped drive the team down to the 1-yard line before the quarter expired, as Corey Kiner was stopped just shy of the goal-line after catching an 8-yard pass.

Beck looked great during the opening 15 minutes, completing 8 of 9 passes for 81 yards, including a 35-yard strike to Jalen Brooks and another one to the former Dallas Cowboys receiver in a tight window.

8:34 pm ET

Carson Beck hits Jalen Brooks for 35-yard completion

Jacob Camenker

Beck took a shot downfield on a third-and-long, backed up near his own goal line. Brooks found some space down the right sideline, and Beck feathered a nice toss to him for a big gain.

Beck continues to show good poise in the early stages of the Hall of Fame game.

8:29 pm ET

Cardinals RB depth chart

Jacob Camenker

The Cardinals currently have six running backs on their roster. Here's the pecking order within the unit, according to the team's unofficial depth chart.

Tyler Allgeier

Jeremiyah Love

James Conner

Trey Benson

Bam Knight

Corey Kiner

While Allgeier is currently listed as the starter, the expectation is that Love will eventually be a three-down workhorse for the team. The Cardinals spent the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on the Notre Dame star, after all.

That said, the Cardinals are sitting Love and their veteran starters for the Hall of Fame game. That should open the door for Knight and Kiner to get most of the work against the Panthers.

8:27 pm ET

Andrew Billings wreaking havoc early in Cardinals vs. Panthers

Jacob Camenker

Billings, a 340-pound defensive tackle, has been making an impact early against the Panthers. The 31-year-old veteran sacked Kenny Pickett on the first drive of the game and had a TFL that nearly resulted in a safety on the opening play of the second drive.

A play later, Billings nearly got a hand on a Pickett pass after dropping into underneath coverage. He will look to continue impressing as he seeks to lock up a roster spot with the Panthers.

8:25 pm ET

Arizona Cardinals QB depth chart

Jacob Camenker

The Cardinals currently have four quarterbacks on their 90-man roster. Here's a look at the pecking order within the group.

Jacoby Brissett

Gardner Minshew

Carson Beck

Kedon Slovis

The Cardinals gave Brissett a raise on eve of the preseason that should lock him in as the team's early-season starter. Minshew will serve as veteran depth behind him after inking a one-year contract in free agency.

That said, Beck is the most intriguing quarterback on Arizona's roster. The Cardinals selected him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and it's possible he could eventually end up starting for the team if either of the journeymen ahead of him struggles.

Beck is expected to start the Hall of Fame game, so he and Slovis – who spent most of the 2025 season as Arizona's third-string quarterback – will each see plenty of action against the Panthers.

8:16 pm ET

Carson Beck completes first preseason pass

Jacob Camenker

Beck took the field for the first time after the Panthers went three-and-out. His first play was a quick, 4-yard pass to Kenny Yeboah. The 24-year-old quarterback got the ball out of his hands quickly and hit Yeboah for an early completion.

A couple of plays later, Beck ran the ball up the middle on a third-and-4 to pick up the game's first, first down.

8:13 pm ET

Is Jeremiyah Love playing in the Hall of Fame game?

Jacob Camenker

Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur told reporters on Wednesday, Aug. 5 that Love would not play in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game.

Love had previously expressed a strong interest in being on the field for Arizona's preseason opener against Carolina.

"I’m going to go play. You ain’t going to tell me I ain’t going to go play," Love told reporters during a July 31 news conference. “I’m going to go out there and play. You trying to keep me on the sideline? Nah, I’m going to play.

"I want to hit, get my feet in the ground, actually play against another team. I need to go out there and play. I think it's very important for my development as a rookie and as an NFL player to make sure I go out there and play in a preseason game or do whatever coach need me to do."

Instead, Love will have to wait to make his debut. His next chance to play will come on Thursday, Aug. 13, when the Cardinals face the Las Vegas Raiders in their second preseason outing.

8:13 pm ET

NFL preseason games Week 1 schedule 2026

Tom Viera

Here's a full look at the first week of the 2026 NFL preseason:

Hall of Fame Game

Thursday, Aug. 6

Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Preseason Week 1

Thursday, Aug. 13

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions, 7 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers, 7 p.m. ET

New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts, 7:30 p.m. ET

Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8 p.m. ET

Friday, Aug. 14

Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos, 7 p.m. ET

New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7 p.m. ET

Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET

Saturday, Aug. 15

Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET

New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4 p.m. ET

New Orleans Saints vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4 p.m. ET

Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 7 p.m. ET

Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8 p.m. ET

Here's the full preseason schedule.

8:10 pm ET

Carolina Panthers QB depth chart

Jacob Camenker

The Panthers are one of just 10 NFL teams that presently have just three quarterbacks on their 90-man rosters. Below is a look at the pecking order within the unit:

Bryce Young

Kenny Pickett

Haynes King

Young, who has been the Panthers' primary starter since being a first-round pick in 2023, isn't expected to play during the Hall of Fame game. That will give Pickett – a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft – an opportunity to start for the Panthers.

King, an undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech, should also get substantial action for Carolina.

8:01 pm ET

Who are the Hall of Fame Game announcers?

Tom Viera

Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play duties during the game, with Cris Collinsworth providing color commentary. Melissa Stark will report from the sidelines, with NBC's full "Sunday Night Football" crew on the call.

7:55 pm ET

Arizona Cardinals record projection

Jacob Camenker

USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis projects the Cardinals to go 2-15 during the 2026 NFL season. That's better than only the Miami Dolphins, who he has projected to go 1-16 during Jeff Hafley's first season.

Click here to see Davis' record projections for all 32 NFL teams.

7:51 pm ET

Who made the NFL Hall of Fame in 2026?

Tom Viera

Five players are being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They are as follows:

QB Drew Brees

RB Roger Craig

WR Larry Fitzgerald

LB Luke Kuechly

K Adam Vinatieri

Here's everything to know about the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2026.

7:35 pm ET

Carolina Panthers record projection

Jacob Camenker

USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis has the Panthers going 6-11 during the 2026 NFL season. His reasoning?

"Assessing them very much depends upon the eye of the beholder, though second-year WR Tetairoa McMillan contends the Panthers are 'very slept on,'" Davis writes. "Yes, they’re fresh off winning the NFC South for the first time since 2017 – but they also backed into the division title amid losing three of their final four regular-season contests. Yes, they gave the Rams all they could handle in the wild-card round, but the Panthers also had six losses by double digits. Yes, there’s young talent like 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year McMillan and major free-agent additions in LBs Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips. But second-year pass rusher Nic Scourton has already been lost to a torn ACL, and the offensive line is a jumble of injuries and newcomers. As for Bryce Young? There are flashes, but not enough to compel the team to extend its inconsistent quarterback. Factor in their first-place schedule, and the Panthers seem like a good bet … to disappoint."

For full record projections for all 32 NFL teams, click here.

7:22 pm ET

NFL power rankings: Where do Cardinals, Panthers rank?

Jacob Camenker

USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis recently released his latest batch of NFL power rankings. Where do the teams participating in the Hall of Fame game rank? The Panthers checked in at 24th overall while the Cardinals rank 31st, ahead of only the Miami Dolphins.

Below is a full look at the top 10 teams on Davis' list:

Los Angeles Rams

Seattle Seahawks

Denver Broncos

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

San Francisco 49ers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

You can click here to see where all 32 teams rank as the NFL preseason gets underway.

7:09 pm ET

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?

Tom Viera

The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six. Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups. The 49ers have eight total Super Bowl appearances and have five rings to show for it, the most recent coming in 1994.

6:47 pm ET

Where is the Hall of Fame Game played?

Tom Viera

The Hall of Fame Game is played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. It is a major part of Hall of Fame Village that seats over 20,000 people. It serves as the home field for Canton City Schools McKinley High School Bulldogs and has hosted countless championship events, including the inaugural USFL Championship Game, the 2021 NCAA DIII Stagg Bowl, and over two decades of OHSAA high school football championship games.

6:08 pm ET

Cardinals vs. Panthers odds, moneyline, over/under

Tom Viera

The Panthers are favorites to defeat the Cardinals, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2026.

Spread: Panthers (-1.5)

Moneyline: Panthers (-120); Cardinals (+104)

Over/under: 35.5

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered.

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.

5:39 pm ET

4th & Monday: Our NFL newsletter always brings the blitz 📰

Tom Viera

Do you like football? Then you'll enjoy getting our NFL newsletter delivered to your inbox. 📲

Get the latest news, expert analysis, game insights and the must-see moments from the NFL conveniently delivered to your email inbox. Sign up now!

4:51 pm ET

Hall of Fame Game live stream

Tom Viera

Streaming: Peacock | NFL+ | Fubo

Fans can stream the game on Peacock, NBC's proprietary streaming service.

Cord-cutters can also stream the game on NFL+ or Fubo, which offers a one-week free trial.

Stream the NFL preseason on Fubo (free trial)

9:55 pm ET August 5, 2026

Hall of Fame Game TV Channel

Tom Viera

Cabel TV: NBC

NBC will broadcast this year's Hall of Fame game between the Cardinals and Panthers.

9:49 pm ET August 5, 2026

NFL Hall of Fame Game start time

Tom Viera

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

The Cardinals and Panthers game will kick off the 2026 NFL preseason at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Click here to read article