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Carson Beck Out With Rib Injury; Brissett Starts Thursday

8/14/2026

33 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Carson Beck Out

Carson Beck will miss Thursday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of a rib injury, having practiced through soreness before being held out.
Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis will play, with Brissett on a $15 million deal, Minshew as the No. 2 quarterback, and Slovis expecting more reps.
Kick-off is at 5 p.m. in Las Vegas, with the game airing on CBS 5 and Arizona’s Sports.

Summary

Beck Injured

Carson Beck’s rib injury cancelled the Thursday preseason game’s promoted rookie-quarterback duel with Fernando Mendoza.
The Raiders and Cardinals had advertised the matchup as a 2026 College Football Playoff championship rematch.
With Beck out, Mendoza becomes the sole marquee rookie, shifting media focus and removing a scouting comparison that officials say may dampen fan enthusiasm.

History

Historical Context

In 2004 the San Francisco 49ers finished 2–14, prompting head coach Dennis Erickson to secure the first-overall 2005 draft pick and select quarterback Alex Smith to rebuild the position. That move began a pattern of high-profile preseason rookie showdowns, a tradition the NFL still employs in recent preseason games to spotlight emerging quarterbacks for fans.

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Carson Beck Out

Carson Beck will miss Thursday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of a rib injury, having practiced through soreness before being held out.
Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis will play, with Brissett on a $15 million deal, Minshew as the No. 2 quarterback, and Slovis expecting more reps.
Kick-off is at 5 p.m. in Las Vegas, with the game airing on CBS 5 and Arizona’s Sports.

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