Carson Beck’s strong start in Arizona hit a brief snag this week, but the Cardinals aren’t treating it like a major concern.
Beck will sit out Thursday night’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders after dealing with a rib injury from last week’s Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers. The injury is not considered serious, and Arizona’s decision to keep him out is being handled as a precaution.
Beck worked through soreness during the week, but the Cardinals decided there was no reason to push their rookie quarterback in a preseason setting. That choice gives him extra recovery time and keeps him on track as the exhibition slate rolls on.
The Cardinals have already indicated that Jacoby Brissett and the starters are expected to play against Las Vegas, likely for just one or two drives. Gardner Minshew is also expected to get action, though it remains to be seen whether the quarterback rotation changes before kickoff.
Beck’s absence comes after a promising debut against Carolina, when he started in place of Brissett and Minshew and completed 15 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. He also avoided the interception that could have changed the tone around his outing.
Arizona used the No. 65 overall pick on Beck in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft after his lone season at Miami, where he threw for 3,813 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. After that preseason performance, there’s already a case that he could work his way into the starting conversation at some point during the season.
For now, though, the Cardinals are simply making sure one of their key young assets doesn’t get hurt in a situation that doesn’t require it. Arizona’s next preseason game is at home against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 22, before the team wraps up exhibition play at Green Bay on Aug. 28.
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