The Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys meet today in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, with Gardner Minshew II set to start for Arizona and Joe Milton III expected to open at quarterback for Dallas.
Neither team’s regular-season starting quarterback is scheduled to play. Jacoby Brissett will sit for the Cardinals, while Dak Prescott will be held out by the Cowboys.
Cardinals Starting QB vs. Cowboys
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed that Gardner Minshew II will start against Dallas. Minshew is expected to play at least the entire first half and could remain in the game into the third quarter.
The appearance will be Minshew’s first start for Arizona. With Brissett resting and Carson Beck dealing with a rib injury, the veteran will receive an extended opportunity to operate the Cardinals’ offense.
Kedon Slovis is expected to handle the remaining quarterback snaps after Minshew leaves the game.
Cowboys Starting QB vs. Cardinals
Joe Milton III is expected to start for Dallas, although the Cowboys had not formally confirmed the decision as of the latest pregame reporting.
Sam Howell started Dallas’ preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks and played the first half. Milton took over after halftime, making him the logical candidate to start against Arizona as the Cowboys evaluate both players in their competition for the backup role behind Prescott.
Howell is also expected to play significant snaps against the Cardinals.
Will Dak Prescott Play Today?
No. Prescott and the Cowboys’ other established starters are not expected to play against Arizona.
Dallas will instead use the game to evaluate its reserves, with the quarterback competition between Milton and Howell among the biggest storylines. Prescott remains firmly established as the Cowboys’ regular-season starter.
Will Jacoby Brissett Play Today?
No. LaFleur announced that Brissett will sit out the Cardinals’ home preseason game.
Brissett is Arizona’s projected regular-season starter, but the team will use this matchup to give Minshew an extended audition. Beck is also unlikely to play because of his rib injury.
Cardinals vs. Cowboys Starting Quarterbacks
- Arizona Cardinals: Gardner Minshew II — confirmed
- Dallas Cowboys: Joe Milton III — expected, pending official confirmation
- Cardinals QB rotation: Minshew, followed by Kedon Slovis
- Cowboys QB rotation: Milton and Sam Howell
- Not expected to play: Jacoby Brissett and Dak Prescott
The matchup gives Arizona a chance to evaluate Minshew in an extended role, while Dallas continues one of its most important preseason competitions. Although the teams’ regular-season starters will be watching from the sideline, the battle between the backup quarterbacks should provide one of the game’s most compelling storylines.