Palmer Solid, But Raiders Reserves Dominate

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Carson Palmer directed a 73-yard drive for a field goal in his one series before the Oakland Raiders backups dominated their Arizona counterparts in a 31-10 victory in the teams' preseason opener Friday night.

Derek Carr played two series for Oakland, the second one ending in Sebastian Janikowski's 53-yard field goal.

Raiders starting defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. was taken to the locker room on a cart early in the game with what a team spokesman said after the game was a hip injury.

Edwards was on crutches as he left the locker room.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was unconcerned about the fact his team lost.

"I thought our good players played well," he said. "I got them out quickly. They were successful and showed up ready to play. Individually there were some really good things with the young players, but collectively it was not very good."

Oakland backup quarterback Matt McGloin threw a pair of first-quarter touchdown passes after the Cardinals committed two turnovers in a span of about 30 seconds.

George Atkinson III, listed as Oakland's fourth-string running back, scored on runs of 53 and 35 yards.

"He is very good and very hungry to be a part of the team," Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said.

Palmer completed 3 of 5 passes for 31 yards. The biggest play of the drive came when David Johnson faked out a defender at the line of scrimmage and raced for a 23-yard gain.

It was "kind of like a little bit of a tease," Palmer said. "You want to get a couple more series in."

Carr completed 3 of 7 passes for 44 yards.

Del Rio said it's "always nice to win" but "there's a lot of things we've got to do better. Penalties overall, offensively we had two on the first drive that put us in a hole. We didn't tackle very well, especially against the run."

CARDINAL SINS

The first turnover came when J.J. Nelson fumbled a punt return and Johnny Holton recovered for Oakland at the Arizona 19. McGloin passed to a wide-open Clive Walford for a touchdown on the next play.

On the Cardinals' first offensive play after the kickoff, backup Drew Stanton overthrew intended receiver Jarron Brown and Nate Allen intercepted. Two plays later, McGloin threw to Andre Holmes for the touchdown and the Raiders led 17-3.

HUMPHRIES WATCH

After being inactive for every game last season despite being a first-round draft pick, D.J. Humphries is Arizona's starting right tackle. He was solid in run-blocking, but struggled some against the pass rush Friday. He didn't give up a sack, and much of the time he was going against All-Pro Khalil Mack.

ROOKIE WATCH

Raiders: Safety Karl Joseph, Oakland's first-round draft choice who is coming off knee surgery, played in the first series and had one tackle.

Cardinals: Third-round draft pick Brandon Williams, who won the starting cornerback job in training camp, had a rough start Friday. He was beaten several times, including on the Holmes' TD. He improved as the game went on and recovered Holmes' fumble in the second quarter.

"I thought Brandon competed extremely well," Arians said. "You knew they'd go after him. ... It was a nice throw-and-fade in the end zone. He'll learn to play those balls better."

POSITION BATTLES

Raiders: Menelik Watson played his first game since an Achilles injury in his bid to win the starting right tackle job.

Cardinals: With Justin Bethel still recovering from foot surgery, Williams won the starting job at cornerback in training camp and Arians has said Bethel will have to earn it back. Nelson was the first choice as a punt returner, but Arians has said he could give John Brown time there, and Nelson's fumble may have made that even more likely.

QUOTABLE

Palmer on David Johnson (three carries, 31 yards), "Nothing different than what I see every day in practice. Just runs powerfully, has great vision, he's a phenomenal blocker. .. He's a special player."

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