Cardinals name rookie Carson Beck the starter, rule out Gardner Minshew II for the season with elbow injury

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur has named Carson Beck the starting quarterback for the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams. This decision comes after starting quarterback Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending ulnar ligament injury requiring surgery. Beck, drafted in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, had become Minshew’s backup after a trade, and will now have his first NFL regular-season start.

• Gardner Minshew is out for the season with an ulnar ligament injury and will undergo surgery.
• Carson Beck will take over as the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.
• Beck became Minshew’s backup in Week 9 after the trade of Jacoby Brissett.
• Beck impressed in limited preseason action, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown against the Carolina Panthers.
• Beck played six years of college football, spending five at Georgia and his final season at Miami.
• At Miami, Beck led the team to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, completing 72.4% of his passes for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions last season.
• Beck’s first NFL start will be against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.