Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson is expected to sit out the remainder of the season due to a neck injury, according to head coach Mike LaFleur. The announcement was made on Monday, confirming that the star player will not return to the field for the rest of the campaign.
Sources close to the team indicated that Wilson suffered a fractured vertebra. He is anticipated to wear a brace for a period ranging from six weeks to two months. Despite the severity of the fracture, LaFleur expressed confidence that the injury will not have long-term implications for Wilson's career.
The incident occurred early in the game against the Seattle Seahawks. On the fourth offensive play of the contest, Wilson caught a 17-yard pass from quarterback Gardner Minshew II. He was subsequently tackled by Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, causing Wilson to land on his head. Initially, the receiver informed the coaching staff that he only had a kink in his neck.
LaFleur noted that Wilson's determination often leads him to downplay physical discomfort. The coach stated that Wilson is a warrior who did not think much of the initial impact. It was only after the adrenaline subsided and Wilson underwent testing later that day that the full extent of the injury became clear.
Wilson finished his season with 51 catches for 546 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Prior to the injury, he was on pace to record his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. The receiver recently signed a three-year contract extension in September, which is worth $75 million with $47 million guaranteed.
Wilson's departure adds to a growing list of receiving injuries for Arizona. The team previously traded Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans in Week 5. Following that move, Jalen Brooks and Kendrick Bourne were also ruled out for the season due to wrist and ankle injuries, respectively.
The Cardinals are now left with a limited group of active receivers, including Simi Fehoko, Devin Duvernay, Reggie Virgil, and Harrison Wallace III. Additionally, Zay Jones, Shedrick Jackson, and James Proche II, who were recently signed, are currently assigned to the practice squad.
LaFleur remarked that he has never encountered such a high volume of injuries at a single position in his coaching career. During a team meeting on Monday, the coach told his players that the setbacks present significant opportunities for other athletes to demonstrate their abilities and step up for the team.
The offense faces uncertainty beyond the receiving corps, as the status of starting quarterback Gardner Minshew II is also in question. Minshew sustained an injury to his right elbow and arm after being hit by Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. on the final play of the first half. Fowler's contact forced a fumble, and Minshew appeared to be in pain as he walked to the locker room at intermission.
The Cardinals are currently testing Minshew's arm to determine the severity of the issue. LaFleur indicated that Minshew could miss the upcoming game but said more information would be available by Wednesday. If Minshew is unable to play, rookie quarterback Carson Beck is expected to take over. Beck has served as the backup quarterback for the previous week after spending the first eight weeks of the season as the emergency third-string option. The coach assured that the offensive system would remain largely unchanged, noting that both quarterbacks are well-suited to the current playbook.
