Cardinals QB Gardner Minshew has UCL injury, sources say - ESPN

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Cardinals' offense took two major blows Monday.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew II probably needs season-ending surgery on his right ulnar collateral ligament, sources told ESPN, and wide receiver Michael Wilson will sit out the rest of the season because of a neck injury, coach Mike LaFleur said.

Sources told ESPN that Minshew is seeking additional medical opinions to confirm whether he'll need the UCL surgery.

Minshew was injured on a hit on the last play of the first half from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. Fowler hit Minshew as he was throwing, forcing a fumble. Minshew appeared to be in pain on the ground and then as he walked off to the locker room at the intermission but continued to play for the rest of the game.

With Minshew expected to be out, the Cardinals are set to turn to rookie quarterback Carson Beck on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. The team also plans to sign veteran Josh Johnson off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

A source told ESPN that Wilson fractured a vertebra and was expected to be in a brace for the next six weeks to two months. LaFleur said he's not worried about Wilson's injury being long term.

The injury happened on the Cardinals' fourth offensive play when Wilson hauled in a 17-yard pass from Minshew and was then tackled by Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Wilson landed on his head but only told the Cardinals that he had a kink in his neck.

«He's such a warrior that he didn't think much of it,» LaFleur said. «And then obviously when the adrenaline wore down and he got his test today, that's when we knew.»

Wilson finishes his season with 546 yards and two touchdowns on 51 catches. He was on pace for his second