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

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur announced that Gardner Minshew is out for the season with an ulnar ligament injury and will undergo surgery Wednesday, and that Beck will take over the starting quarterback.

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Beck had been the No. 3 quarterback before the Cardinals traded Jacoby Brissett last week and became Minshew’s backup in Week 9. Now, he will start against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck warms up during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

LaFleur said Beck has been a pro since he was drafted in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and was mature when the Cardinals drafted him, crediting the cultures at Georgia and Miami for his development. Beck’s first reps as the No. 1 quarterback with the rest of the starters will come this week, and LaFleur said he is looking forward to seeing Beck operate the offense.

Beck saw limited preseason action due to a rib injury but impressed in the Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers in August. He completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards with one touchdown.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) celebrates Corey Kiner's rushing touchdown in the first half of the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game against the Carolina Panthers in Canton, Ohio, on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/David Richard)

The 24-year-old quarterback spent six years playing college football — five at Georgia and his final season at Miami. Beck didn’t take over as the full-time starter until his junior season at Georgia and transferred to Miami after regressing during his senior season.

Last season at Miami, Beck led the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. In 16 games, he completed 72.4% of his passes, which led the ACC, for 3,813 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

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Miami quarterback Carson Beck (11) aims a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

His first NFL regular-season start will come against the Rams at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.