The 2026 Hall of Fame will likely go down as one of the most entertaining games since the annual matchup began in 1962. In a thrilling back-and-forth affair, the Panthers pulled out a dramatic 33-30 victory thanks to late-game heroics of rookie quarterback Haynes King.
The NFL's preseason games are a great way for players on the roster bubble to make a big impression. Playing well can even result in coaching staffs wanting to keep them on the 53-man roster.
One Cardinal player that took a great first step in doing just that was fourth-year receiver Jalen Brooks. The former South Carolina Gamecock led Arizona in receiving on the night, getting three receptions for 99 yards. He hauled in a 49-yard bomb early in the second quarter from quarterback Carson Beck that set up an Arizona touchdown to give his team a 14-7 lead:
Carson Beck to Jalen Brooks. WOW.@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 7, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/VjnMEP2mIQ
After the game, Beck told reporters that he called the deep ball to Brooks along the left sideline after seeing a way the Carolina secondary was covering him:
Cardinals rookie Carson Beck on the midgame adjustment he made with WR Jalen Brooks before connecting on the deep ball (that JB somehow hung onto despite the hit) ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yovIB5c3jc
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 7, 2026
Despite the loss, Brooks had a great outing, averaging five yards per reception. While it's obviously still early in training camp and there's a long way to go for Brooks, it was a great performance for the wideout, who is fighting for a roster spot. He has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career, which started with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 as a seventh-round draft pick.
In Dallas, he played in just 21 games across two seasons. He caught 18 receptions for just 241 yards and a touchdown. Brooks started 2025 on Dallas' practice squad, but was elevated to the active roster in Week 5 against the New York Jets. But after suffering a knee injury in the game, he was later released by Dallas at the end of October with an injury settlement.
He joined Arizona's practice squad shortly thereafter, and was promoted to the active roster in mid-December due to receiver injuries that plagued the Cardinals. He played in just five games, logging three receptions for six yards on the season.
He is currently considered one of Arizona's third-team receivers on the depth chart, behind starter Michael Wilson and Reggie Virgil. But if he keeps playing like he did on Thursday in Canton, he could solidify himself as a deep-ball weapon for expected starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Brooks will continue to try and make an impression during the Cardinals training camp under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. The next chance for Brooks to play in an Arizona preseason game is next Thursday, when the Cardinals take on the Las Vegas Raiders on the road, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET.
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