The Arizona Cardinals officially placed former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew II on injured reserve on November 10, ending his 2026 NFL season. The decision follows a season-ending elbow injury sustained during the team’s Week 9 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks. The NFL confirmed the move via its official social media channels, marking the immediate end to Minshew’s tenure with the Cardinals for the current campaign.
Elbow injury ends Minshew’s 2026 season, clearing the path for rookie Carson Beck
Minshew’s journey to Arizona reflects a volatile career path that began with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft. He subsequently navigated roles with the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders before joining Kansas City last season. His time in the Chiefs’ system was brief, as he started only one game in 2025 before suffering a separate season-ending injury, a pattern of bad luck that now continues in Arizona.
With Minshew sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, the Cardinals’ quarterback room shifts focus to its younger options. Rookie Carson Beck, journeyman Josh Johnson, and undrafted free agent Joey Aguilar will now compete for snaps under center. This roster move forces an immediate evaluation of depth, placing significant pressure on Beck to establish himself as a viable starter or reliable backup for the back half of the 2026 schedule.
Source: Yahoo Sports
