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TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals placed quarterback Gardner Minshew II on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season. Rookie Carson Beck will make his first NFL start Sunday when Arizona hosts the Los Angeles Rams, the team announced.
Arizona (3-6) also placed receiver Michael Wilson on injured reserve with a neck injury. Both players were hurt in the Cardinals’ 17-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 8 in Seattle.
Minshew was hit on his right arm while throwing on the final play of the first half. He played the entire second half and finished 21-of-30 for 166 yards. The Cardinals’ website said he reportedly tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.
To back up Beck, Arizona signed 40-year-old Josh Johnson off the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad and undrafted rookie Joey Aguilar off the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad. Johnson is joining his 15th NFL team since entering the league in 2008. He has 50 appearances and 11 starts, completing 242-of-412 passes for 2,669 yards with 14 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
Aguilar spent seven seasons in college. The Cardinals also worked out two other veteran quarterbacks.
Mike LaFleur Turns To Carson Beck Against Los Angeles Rams
Beck, 24, was the first pick of the third round, 65th overall, in April’s draft. He spent six seasons in college and led Miami to the national championship game in the 2025 season. The Hurricanes lost that game to Fernando Mendoza and Indiana, and Mendoza also makes his first NFL start Sunday for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Beck has not played in a game since the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6. He moved to No. 2 on the depth chart after the Cardinals traded Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens.
Beck spoke with reporters last week, after the Brissett trade.
“You can try to create that plan and create the preparation for what it looks like when you finally are the guy,” Beck said. “Then you are not stressing. You have that plan set in place.”
Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur met with reporters Monday, while Minshew was getting tests on his right arm and elbow.
“We will know more on Wednesday, but yeah, there is a possibility for sure,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur also said Beck is doing “good” after back spasms troubled him a couple of weeks ago. His comments on the offense came during the same Monday session.
“It’s not like it’s a difference between the Wing-T and a spread offense,” LaFleur explained. “Foundationally we do similar stuff. A lot of the stuff Carson likes and is good at is the stuff Gardner likes. They like this system.”
Gardner Minshew II Made One Start After Rally Past Dallas Cowboys
Minshew replaced Brissett in the third quarter of the Cardinals’ Nov. 1 game at AT&T Stadium, with Arizona trailing the Dallas Cowboys 17-3. He led four straight touchdown drives and finished 17-of-23 for 188 yards and three touchdowns.
His 13-yard touchdown pass to Wilson tied the game 30-30 with six seconds left. Chad Ryland missed the extra point, then made a 42-yard field goal in overtime for a 33-30 win. Wilson finished with eight catches for 111 yards.
The win was Arizona’s fifth straight over Dallas. LaFleur named Minshew the starter for Week 9 the next day, after Brissett had started the first eight games.
In two appearances, Minshew completed 38-of-53 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns. He is scheduled to become a free agent after the season.
Wilson played eight games in 2026, with 51 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns. He posted a message on social media Tuesday.
“Not the ending I had envisioned, but grateful for the journey,” Wilson wrote. “Regardless of what happens my love for the game will never change! Thank you for all the love and support. The story is still being written.”
Arizona hosts the Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. CT on CBS.
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