Darren Hall once understood the indifference many have toward watching preseason games.
"I've been a fan as well, so I've probably said things like that growing up, like the preseason doesn't really matter," the Cardinals safety said ahead of the team's preseason finale in Denver. "But as you come into the league you see the people are fighting for jobs.
"This is their livelihood."
Sunday's preseason game marks the last opportunity Hall has to make the Cardinals 53-man roster with Tuesday's cut day looming. It's a time of year Hall, going into his fourth season, has experience.
Originally drafted by the Falcons in 2021, Hall was released after the preseason in 2023. He then spent time on the Colts practice squad throughout the year before signing a futures contract with the Cardinals in January.
"I've seen both sides of the game with the business side of it," Hall said. "It could get stressful at this time of the year. You don't know if you're going to be on a team or not or how the roster is going to shape out, but I trust God and His plan for my life, so I go out there and do everything I can to put good stuff on film."
Hall has flashed throughout camp as he transitions to the position after previously playing cornerback. Through two games, he's the Cardinals leading tackler with nine, adding three pass deflections, and a forced fumble. Coach Jonathan Gannon praised Hall, calling him "sticky in coverage." Hall hopes it has been enough.
The "clock is closer (to cut day) than when we started camp, so they know it's around the corner," Gannon said.
Running back Emari Demercado spent last year's cut day hoping for good news. The then-undrafted rookie received a roster spot and contributed on third-down packages and as a consistent playmaker once James Conner went down.
But as much as Demercado made an impact in 2023, 2024 presents renewed uncertainty. The Cardinals invested in the position by drafting Trey Benson, and on a personal level, Demercado recently bought a house in the Valley. He'll spend Tuesday trying to distract himself, regardless of the outcome.
"You're naturally going to have a bit of nerves, but you go out and control what you can control," Demercado said. "Just doing stuff to not think about that. Naturally you're going to have nerves about it. It's no point in stressing over something you can't control that's above me. I can just do my part."
Linebacker Jesse Luketa said he's not nervous because "at the end of the day, we play the best game in the world." Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis doesn't feel any added pressure since the staff has been "very well thought out with how you're repping guys."
Gannon said that, as a team, they're "right where we need to be" heading into Sunday's finale against the Broncos.
"When we set up the plan week to week to week, you take it in totality of training camp with practices, joint practices, three games, the plan and how we kind of set it up," Gannon said. "The players understood what we're doing, and some roles changed, how many reps guys got throughout the games, but they'll all get an opportunity."
Hall and the other players on the bubble are treating this game like it's their Super Bowl.
"When you're playing well, I feel like it exudes more confidence," Hall said. "Going out there and trying to capitalize on another opportunity on Sunday against the Broncos and going out there trying to continue what I've been doing at practices, the joints, and the games.
"But everything matters in the NFL."
