Carson Beck’s latest setback is the kind of thing that gets attention in Arizona, even with the rookie buried on the depth chart.
The Cardinals don’t need Beck to take over right now, with Jacoby Brissett firmly in place as the starter. But they do need to figure out what they have in the third-round pick eventually, and that’s why this back injury matters more than a routine backup quarterback issue.
Beck left practice on October 22nd after suffering the injury and walked off visibly frustrated. Per Donnie Druin of Sports Illustrated, this is separate from the preseason issue Beck was already dealing with, which adds another hurdle to a rookie year centered on development.
Arizona can take its time here. There’s no reason to push Beck back early and risk turning a manageable problem into something that takes away more of his growth later. Still, that patience has a downside, because every practice rep and every chance to get on the field matters for a young quarterback.
That’s especially true for a player the Cardinals spent a Day 2 pick on. At some point, the team has to learn whether Beck is just depth or someone who can fight for a much bigger role. If Arizona lands on the right answer there, a third-round quarterback on a rookie contract could change the way the front office builds the roster and spends in future offseasons.
For Cardinals fans, that’s what makes Beck such a fascinating long-term piece - and why even a back injury can feel like a bigger issue than it would for most quarterbacks in his spot.
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