Carson Beck is finally getting his chance to start in the NFL, but the Arizona Cardinals have picked a very difficult time to hand him the keys to their offense.
After spending a third-round pick on the former Miami quarterback and keeping him on the sidelines for nine games, Arizona is turning to Beck with a depleted receiving corps, an injured offensive line and against one of the best teams in the NFL.
Cardinals name Carson Beck starting QB for Week 10 game vs. Rams. pic.twitter.com/GuL6MKvENn
— NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2026
Arizona's QB situation has completely unraveled
Beck will make his first NFL start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams after Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending elbow injury.
Beck, selected 65th overall in April's NFL draft, opened the season as Arizona's emergency third quarterback behind Jacoby Brissett and Minshew. Brissett started the first eight games before losing his job to Minshew, who led the Cardinals to an overtime victory against Dallas. Arizona subsequently traded Brissett to Baltimore, only for Minshew to suffer his injury against Seattle.
Now, with eight games remaining, the Cardinals are asking him to become their starter.
Beck has almost nobody left to throw to
Arizona traded Marvin Harrison Jr. to Houston in October, receiving 2027 second- and seventh-round draft picks while sending the Texans a sixth-rounder. Harrison had underperformed expectations, recording 108 receptions for 1,578 yards and 13 touchdowns across 33 games, but his departure still removed a talented option.
Jalen Brooks suffered a season-ending wrist injury, Kendrick Bourne fractured his leg and Michael Wilson sustained a neck injury against Seattle. Wilson had 51 receptions for 546 yards and two touchdowns, leaving another significant hole in the offense.
Beck's available receivers include Simi Fehoko, Devin Duvernay, Reggie Virgil and Harrison Wallace III. Those four have combined for just eight receptions this season.
Fortunately, tight end Trey McBride remains available and he leads the NFL with 73 receptions. Beck has to find a way to get him the ball.
Injuries and the Rams' defense make things worse
Rookie Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall pick, is on injured reserve with an ankle injury after rushing for 268 yards and one touchdown on the season. James Conner is still on the IR and Bam Knight missed last week due to a concussion, leaving Tyler Allgeier as Arizona's leading available running back.
Starting left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is out for the season with a torn biceps, while center Hjalte Froholdt entered the week in concussion protocol. And waiting for Beck is a Rams defensive front featuring Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett, who returned from knee surgery Sunday and recorded three sacks against Washington.
It's hardly an ideal matchup for a quarterback making his debut.
Beck will be able to fly under the radar
Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick, takes over this week for Las Vegas after the Raiders traded Kirk Cousins to Minnesota.
Mendoza will face the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, and that will likely draw more national attention.
Perhaps that's good for Beck, who could benefit from less scrutiny while adjusting to the NFL.
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