Cardinals make Carson Beck decision for Thursday preseason game vs. Raiders

The Arizona Cardinals faced the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame game this year, and it was a very entertaining game that went down to the wire.

A big reason why was that Carson Beck was playing well. The 2026 third-rounder went 15 of 19 passing for 188 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions and three yards rushing.

However, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals won't be seeing Beck on the field for the preseason Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, as Beck is dealing with an injury that's going to keep him out of the game.

Carson Beck is dealing with an injury that will keep him out of preseason Week 1

"#AZCardinals QB Carson Beck won't play in tonight's preseason game against the #Raiders due to a rib injury sustained in last Thursday's Hall of Fame game," Rapoport reports. "The injury is not considered serious."

Beck isn't seriously injured, but this rib injury is going to keep him out of the Cardinals' first official preseason game, not including the Hall of Fame game.

Rapoport does note that Beck did practice this week, but he was dealing with soreness due to this rib injury, and the Cardinals are playing it safe.

While it would be nice to see Beck get more live game action before the 2026 season begins, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to injuries in the preseason.

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This isn't practice; Beck could get hit in the ribs and get even more banged up. It's the preseason, and Beck wouldn't even be the starter over Jacoby Brissett. There's no reason to make Beck active amid this injury issue.

Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis will see action during the preseason with Beck injured, as the former Miami and George quarterback will sit on the sideline for the preseason opener.

He might be back in time for the home preseason game next week against the Dallas Cowboys. But at least for now, Beck will miss a week due to a rib issue.

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