Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II likely requires season-ending surgery on his right ulnar collateral ligament after being hit by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. in the first half. Minshew continued playing through pain but is seeking additional medical opinions. With Minshew out, rookie quarterback Carson Beck is set to start Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Wide receiver Michael Wilson fractured a vertebra on the fourth offensive play and will miss the rest of the season wearing a brace for six weeks to two months. Coach Mike La Fleur stated Wilson is not expected to have long-term issues. Wilson finishes the season with 546 yards and two touchdowns on 51 catches, having been on pace for a second consecutive 1,000-yard year.
His $75 million contract extension, signed in September, included $47 million guaranteed. The Cardinals' receiving corps has been decimated, losing Marvin Harrison Jr., Jalen Brooks, and Kendrick Bourne for the season. Arizona now relies on Simi Fehoko, Devin Duvernay, Reggie Virgil, and Harrison Wallace III.
Recently signed practice squad players Zay Jones, Shedrick Jackson, and James Proche II may provide depth. La Fleur emphasized there is "a lot of opportunity" for remaining players. Beck, who served as the emergency third-stringer for eight weeks, will take over the offense with minimal structural changes, as his skill set aligns with the system.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing