Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck will make his NFL debut Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed Wednesday.
The assignment makes Beck the third different starting quarterback for Arizona in as many weeks. Gardner Minshew II started last Sunday’s game against Seattle, where he suffered a UCL injury in his throwing arm.
Minshew was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, and sources told ESPN that he is seeking second medical opinions to determine if he needs ligament surgery for the rest of the season. Jacoby Brissett started the first eight games for the Cardinals before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens.
Beck spent the first eight weeks of the season as the team’s emergency third quarterback and was inactive on game days. He stepped into the backup role for the Seattle game after Brissett’s departure.
Beck Doubles Workload to Prepare for Starting Role
Beck acknowledged the rapid changes in his professional career over the past two weeks. “Obviously having gone from emergency quarterback at the beginning of the season to last week being the backup to now being the starter, I mean, it’s been a crazy season,” Beck told ESPN. It’s really been a welcome to the NFL season that just getting introduced to what the league is and what it can be.
Quarterbacks coach Matt Schaub noted that Beck doubled his workload running the scout team offense while serving as the backup. Schaub observed that the physical repetitions helped the rookie improve his pocket movement and pre-snap communication.
Cardinals name Carson Beck starting QB for Week 10 game vs. Rams. pic.twitter.com/GuL6MKvENn
Beck pointed out that mastering playcalls in the huddle required substantial adjustment since his college days at Georgia and Miami. LaFleur credited that extensive college experience, which included 55 games over six seasons, with preparing the young signal-caller for the moment.
“I know this isn’t too big for him,” LaFleur said. “Go have some fun, man. Go let it sling.”
Coaching Staff Maintains Offensive Scheme for Beck
LaFleur said that the offensive scheme will not undergo major overhauls with Beck under center. The coaching staff plans to rely on concepts familiar to both Minshew and Beck to ease the transition.
The Cardinals will play without wide receivers Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne due to injuries.
Sunday’s matchup takes place at State Farm Stadium, where Beck previously led Miami to a victory over Ole Miss in the CFP quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl in January. His college career concluded with a 27-21 loss to Indiana in the CFP National Championship game.
“Already I have good memories in that stadium, but it’ll be really cool to walk in that stadium and know what’s at stake and what’s to come on Sunday for sure,” Beck told ESPN.
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