The Arizona Cardinals are facing significant changes as training camp kicks off, with the loss of starting cornerback Starling Thomas for the season due to an ACL injury. Thomas, who joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Lions in 2023, had begun to establish himself after being claimed by Arizona. In response to this setback, the Cardinals have signed another former Lions cornerback, Steven Thomas, from the same undrafted class, hoping to fill the gap left by Starling's injury.

This move underscores the challenges teams face in maintaining roster integrity as injuries can derail plans quickly. Both players represent the kind of talent that can develop into reliable contributors, but the Cardinals will now look to Steven Thomas to step up and make a significant impact in the upcoming season.

The Arizona Cardinals are facing early challenges in training camp as injuries begin to mount. Linebacker J.J. Russell is currently sidelined with a concussion, and cornerback Starling Thomas V sustained a leg injury while attempting to contest a pass during practice. Thomas was visibly in pain as he was helped off the field, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming weeks.

Despite these setbacks, there are notable developments in the running back position, where Trey Benson is making a splash by consistently taking the first handoff over established starter James Conner. This could signal a shift in the team's strategy as they aim to keep Conner healthy throughout the season.

The Arizona Cardinals are benefiting from a performance-based pay system that rewards players based on their contributions on the field. Cornerback Star Thomas V leads the team with a substantial bonus of $797,669.80, attributed to his 77.3% snap count last season. Despite none of their players breaking into the NFL's top 25 for performance pay, several Cardinals enjoyed significant payouts. The team's total performance-based pay this year amounted to $14.128 million, part of a broader league pool of $452.096 million since the program's inception in 2002.

Notably, players with lower salaries and higher playing time percentages gleaned the most from this system. Alongside Thomas, wide receiver Michael Wilson and cornerback Garrett Williams also received hefty bonuses, highlighting the importance of snap counts in determining eligibility for these payouts. The performance pay structure underscores the value placed on player contributions that go beyond just base salaries, providing motivation for athletes to perform at their best week after week.