Cardinals Turn to Rookie Carson Beck as Minshew Lost

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals are handing the offense to rookie quarterback Carson Beck for the rest of the season.

Head coach Mike LaFleur said Wednesday that a torn ulnar ligament in his elbow will end the season for Gardner Minshew, who needs surgery, and that Beck will start Sunday at home against the Los Angeles Rams.

The team had already put Minshew on injured reserve Tuesday following the arm injury he took Sunday at Seattle. Arizona also shelved wide receiver Michael Wilson, who has a neck injury. To back up Beck, the club added veteran Josh Johnson and rookie Joey Aguilar.

Beck, a third-round pick in the 2026 draft, opened the year as the No. 3 quarterback. He moved up to backup in Week 9 after the Cardinals traded Jacoby Brissett.

He has not played in a regular-season game. A rib injury limited him in the preseason, but he was sharp in the Hall of Fame Game against Carolina in August, going 15 of 19 for 188 yards and a touchdown.

Minshew played in two games for Arizona, throwing for 354 yards and three touchdowns on 38 of 53 passing, and won in overtime at Dallas in Week 8. He can become a free agent after the season.

Beck played five seasons at Georgia and finished his college career at Miami, where he led the Hurricanes to the national title game last season.

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