The Arizona Cardinals are facing a quarterback crisis after Gardner Minshew suffered what could be a season-ending injury in his first start.
After leading Arizona to a remarkable overtime win over the Cowboys, Minshew took over from Jacoby Brissett, who was then relegated to third choice before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens.
But there are fears that Minshew suffered a torn UCL in Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks and could require surgery that will cut short his season.
That would leave rookie Carson Beck as the only healthy quarterback on the Cardinals roster.
As reported by ESPN and NFL Network, the injury to Minshew’s throwing arm occurred before halftime. But, remarkably, the quarterback played through the pain.
The 30-year-old – who joined the Cardinals after spells with the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars – is reportedly set to undergo more tests on the injury.
Gardner Minshew suffered what could be a season-ending injury in his first start
As it stands, rookie Carson Beck is the only healthy quarterback on the Cardinals roster
The ex-Miami and Georgia quarterback was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft
But he faces the possibility of months on the sidelines, opening the door for Beck and giving head coach Mike LaFleur a huge issue to resolve.
Former Miami and Georgia quarterback Beck was selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He has so far not seen any regular-season NFL action.
LaFleur said after Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks that he never gave any consideration to putting the 23-year-old in – despite Minshew’s struggles.
Now, though, Beck looks set to be thrust into the role of starter for the 3-6 Cardinals, who face the Los Angeles Rams this weekend.
Arizona wide receiver Michael Wilson, meanwhile, is out for the season because of a fracture in his neck that he suffered against Seattle.
First-year coach LaFleur made the surprise announcement Monday, saying the injury happened on the fourth play of the game and that Wilson played through it. Wilson finished with six catches for 60 yards in the team’s 17-3 loss.
‘He said [during the game] he kind of had a kink in his neck, but he’s such a warrior you didn’t think much of it,’ LaFleur said.
‘Then obviously when the adrenaline wore down and he got his test today, that’s when we knew.’
