Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed on Monday that 26‑year‑old wide receiver Michael Wilson is out for the rest of the season following a fracture in his neck. Wilson suffered the injury on the fourth play of the Cardinals’ 17‑3 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, continuing to play after a hard hit that left him with a “kink” in his neck.
Injury details and team response
After the game, Wilson was taken to a medical facility where imaging revealed a fracture. “He said (during the game) he kind of had a kink in his neck, but he’s such a warrior you didn’t think much of it,” LaFleur told reporters. “Then obviously when the adrenaline wore down and he got his test today, that’s when we knew.” The team placed Wilson on injured reserve on Tuesday.
Wilson’s production this season
Wilson signed a three‑year, $75 million extension before Week 1 after emerging as the Cardinals’ No. 1 wide receiver. In nine games this season he recorded 51 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns. Last season he posted 78 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns.
Impact on the receiving corps
With Wilson sidelined and former first‑round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. traded in October, the Cardinals’ depth at wide receiver is thin. The remaining active receivers are Simi Fehoko, Devin Duvernay, Reggie Virgil and Harrison Wallace. LaFleur noted that the injury creates chances for these players to step up and prove themselves.
The shortage also means more targets for superstar tight end Trey McBride, who leads the NFL with 73 receptions, adding 598 yards and five touchdowns.
Quarterback uncertainty
Compounding the situation, starting quarterback Gardner Minshew may require season‑ending surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, according to ESPN reports. The Cardinals recently traded veteran Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens, leaving rookie Carson Beck as the likely starter if Minshew cannot play.
Beck will face a challenging environment. Star rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is also on injured reserve, and the wide receiver group consists largely of unproven talent.
Upcoming schedule
The Cardinals (3‑6) host the Los Angeles Rams (5‑4) at State Farm Stadium on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET. Fans will be watching to see how the team adapts without its top receiver and with a potentially new quarterback under center.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
