**THE STORY**: When the Cardinals drafted Jordan Burch last April, outside linebacker Xavier Thomas said it was a dream come true, given that the outside linebackers were high school teammates back in Florence, South Carolina.
Moments like the one they made on Saturday during the 20-10 win against the Raiders at State Farm Stadium are what they had envisioned when they were teenagers. Off the edge, Burch strip-sacked Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell and Thomas jumped on the loose football to put the Cardinals in scoring position for a touchdown.
It was a crucial outing for Thomas, who is battling to find a spot on the 53-man roster. He finished the preseason finale with the aforementioned fumble recovery, two sacks, and five tackles.
It had been a quiet training camp for Thomas. The second-year pass rusher had mostly taken third-team reps, playing late into the fourth quarter in each preseason game. The additions of Burch and Josh Sweat, coupled together with the investments into Zaven Collins and Baron Browning had pushed Thomas' name further back in the line.
The Cardinals must trim down the roster to 53 players by 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Saturday night's game was the final opportunity to make an impression on coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort.
Burch, who has had an impressive preseason as a rookie, had two tackles for loss.
Clayton Tune is another player who is on the bubble. Tune played every snap against the Raiders with backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett joining starter Kyler Murray on the sideline. Tune finished 12-of-20 for 83 yards. He also ran for 48 yards. Wide receiver Simi Fehoko's touchdown reception was his second in as many weeks.
Las Vegas had both their offensive and defensive starters play a drive. Defensive end Maxx Crosby had a tackle for loss and forced a three-and-out. Offensively, Geno Smith targeted rookie cornerback Denzel Burke three different times on the opening drive. Burke had a defensive pass interference called and gave up a touchdown to Dont'e Thornton Jr.
The Cardinals finished the preseason at 2-1.