Rap: Cardinals fear torn UCL for Gardner Minshew

Minshew took a hard hit to his right elbow/arm in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks and is now undergoing tests to determine the severity of his injury. He managed to play through the game, but if he is unable to go in Week 10 against the Rams, rookie Carson Beck would be in line to make his first career start. Minshew threw for 166 scoreless yards against a stout Seahawks defense, but led a comeback victory in just one half of play against the Cowboys the previous week. With recent reports of Michael Wilson (neck) being lost for the season, both Minshew and Beck would be best left on waivers this week.

We don’t believe him. But it really doesn’t matter because Beck will get his chance at some point in the coming weeks. The Cardinals’ rookie looked good in the preseason Hall of Fame game, though it is unclear whether he can do enough to warrant QB2 treatment as a pure pocket passer. The Cardinals’ schedule softens after matchups against the Rams and Chiefs over the next two weeks. Beck should have a chance to play in Week 12 against the Commanders, if not sooner.

To be fair, the matchup in Week 9 was far different than the one Minshew erupted in last week, with the Seattle defense placing the clamps on the Cardinals from the first kick, holding them to just 198 total yards of offense on the down night. The only points mustered came on the team’s first possession, with three of their five first half possessions resulting in three-and-outs. The Cardinals saw the football only thrice following the break, getting stopped after achieving first and goal from the four on their final possession of the game. It was an outing to forget for all parties. Minshew remains likely to be the starting quarterback, at least in the immediate future, but the looking presence of rookie Carson Beck could be accelerated if the former returns more games like this one. Up next for the Cardinals are the Rams in Week 10, where Minshew will be nothing more than a streamer in two-quarterback leagues.

After leading a second-half comeback against the Cowboys in which he threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-23 passing, the move to Minshew felt inevitable. Now, the eighth-year journeyman will have a chance to make his first start for the Cardinals in what’s sure to be a tough road matchup against the Seahawks. Minshew has long proved his value as a serviceable backup in the league and should provide enough to keep the fantasy stocks of Trey McBride and Michael Wilson up, but he could be in for a tough outing against a top-flight Seahawks defense. He shouldn’t be treated as anything more than a desperation streamer in 2QB/superflex leagues, while Wilson’s expectations should fall somewhere in the WR3 range.

Minshew appeared to get better blocking and be more accurate and on-time with his passes than Jacoby Brissett. He also got a few major long gains from Tyler Allgeier en route to rallying the Cardinals from a 17-3 deficit. Minshew should have had a walkoff 13-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson with six seconds left, but kicker Chad Ryland missed the extra point. In overtime, after an initial three-and-out, Minshew completed just one pass as Wilson and Allgeier ran the Cardinals into field-goal range for the win. Hard to see how the Cardinals would bench Minshew after how this looked, though he certainly shouldn’t be considered a firm rest-of-season starter just yet. Minshew Mania will likely figure into the QB2 superflex mix in Week 9.

The Cardinals’ No. 3 quarterback has been dealing with back spasms in recent weeks, likely delaying his rookie season debut. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said Beck threw the ball well on Tuesday. Today, they will see how things go. Stay tuned.

Beck left Thursday’s practice with back spasms and was listed as a DNP. Head coach Mike LaFleur said he was not overly concerned about the injury and that he doesn’t believe it will be anything long-term. Beck’s injury shouldn’t change his Week 7 availability, as he has been the emergency QB3 all season. He was officially listed as questionable to play.

Beck appeared on the injury report last Friday, as a limited participant. He remained limited on Wednesday and was downgraded today. Beat reporters saw him at practice briefly, but he ended up going inside with a trainer. This could help preserve Jacoby Brissett’s job security. Stay tuned.

Cardinals fans appear to be pining for the team to bench Jacoby Brissett and start the rookie in the coming weeks as another season circles the drain for Arizona. Beck so far has been the Cards’ emergency third quarterback. Urban said there remains a “chance Beck is made the backup this week or next and allow him to come on in relief if the situation presents itself. I don’t see Beck starting in the immediate future, but it does feel his time grows closer, and if the offense continues to sputter, that would be understandable.” Brissett this season ranks 15th in passing yards. He’s thrown nine touchdowns to five interceptions and ranks 30th out of 37 qualifying QBs in adjusted yards per attempt. He won’t be a viable fantasy play this week against a tough Rams coverage unit.

Beck continues to be the Cardinals’ third quarterback and will be a gameday inactive for Week 3 behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson (back) was scratched on Friday.

Jordan Addison caught 2-of-3 targets for 28 yards in the Vikings’ Week 9 loss to the Bills.

T.J. Hockenson caught 4-of-7 targets for 33 yards in the Vikings’ Week 9 loss to the Bills.

Justin Jefferson caught 3-of-11 targets for 58 yards in the Vikings’ Week 9 loss to the Bills.

Aaron Jones rushed five times for 16 yards in the Vikings’ Week 9 loss to the Bills, adding five yards on one reception.

Jordan Mason rushed six times for 35 yards in the Vikings’ Week 9 loss to the Bills, adding seven yards on two receptions.

Max Brosmer completed 6-of-7 passes for 58 yards in the Vikings’ Week 9 loss to the Bills.

DJ Moore caught 3-of-5 targets for 25 yards in the Bills’ Week 9 win over the Vikings, adding 11 yards on one carry.

Dalton Kincaid caught all three targets for 28 yards in the Bills’ Week 9 win over the Vikings.

Dawson Knox caught 4-of-5 targets for 37 yards in the Bills’ Week 9 win over the Vikings.

Khalil Shakir caught all four targets for 58 yards in the Bills’ Week 9 win over the Vikings.