Darren Urban/Word From The Birds

In a week, the Cardinals have to make final cuts. I mean, final cuts is a misnomer; the initial cut to the 53-man roster doesn't account for guys coming back to the practice squad, or other machinations to make sure the team holds on to as many players as they can.

But it is the stretch run for guys trying to make the team, and Saturday night against the Cowboys, with the way Mike LaFleur held out a good chunk of players while playing others, there were names to watch,

It was interesting, for instance, to see that running back Bam Knight on the sideline not dressed. The Cardinals have some injury issues at the position right now, so Knight might be a short-term safety net. But Knight has a previous relationship with LaFleur with the Jets, and he more importantly has looked good every time he's had a chance to play this preseason.

The way LaFleur talked about Knight postgame, seemed like Knight will be there.

Wide receiver Simi Fehoko makes another nice catch (37 yards) and continues to fight for a spot in a deep wideout room. And yet ...

"We have a lot of good players in our room," Fehoko said with a smile. "We have a lot of guys who can make plays. Preseason is usually the guys who aren't the main guys. Just being able to produce when I have opportunity, that's all I can ask for."

Guys not playing Saturday sure seem to be guys who are going to be on the roster. Those playing are still working.

-- Along those lines were the start Saturday of outside linebacker Eku Leota -- who had a sack and five tackles -- as well as the deep-into-the-fourth-quarter play again for fellow outside linebacker BJ Ojulari.

Leota, as an example, also played later in the game. But how this shakes out, and where Ojulari might stand as the team's 2023 second-round pick who has had to battle injuries, remains a storyline.

-- Josh Sweat was at the game Saturday, but LaFleur wasn't setting any timeline yet of the linebacker's return -- other than again being confident in Sweat's return when the regular season starts.

"We want all these guys back," LaFleur said. "But these edge rushers, they rush the quarterback, it's a little different that the rhythm and timing of a quarterback. I'm just being real about it."

-- Tough night for safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson, who suffered a ribs injuryand was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the same play after hitting tight end Zack Kuntz right after the ball bounced off Kuntz's hands. It looked like a shoulder-to-chest hit by Rabbit, but flags are thrown in those circumstances these days. But that's a two-for that's hard to absorb.

-- LaFleur had his first challenge flag of his head coaching career, after running back Corey Kiner was ruled down just short of the goalline. LaFleur took a moment waiting to hear from Kenny Bell upstairs if it made sense, Gardner Minshew pantomimed a couple of throws to his coach in an effort to encourage the toss. LaFleur did. He lost - play stood.

-- The Cardinals are off Sunday, return to practice Monday and travel Tuesday to Green Bay for their joint practice with the Packers.