Carson Beck's Rib Sends Blockbuster Rematch to the Bench

The showdown we’ve been waiting for? Yeah, it’s off.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Carson Beck won’t play in Thursday night’s preseason matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie quarterback is dealing with a rib injury he picked up in last week’s Hall of Fame Game. The injury is not considered serious, but the team is playing it safe.

A Sequel Delayed

Beck practiced through pain all week, but the Cardinals ultimately decided to rest him and let the ribs heal. The team didn’t mention the injury when asked about it earlier this week, making the news land with a little extra thud.

More importantly, his absence nukes the quarterback rematch everyone wanted: Beck vs. Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders’ No. 1 overall pick and Beck went blow-for-blow in last season’s College Football Playoff National Championship, with Mendoza’s Indiana Hoosiers outlasting Beck’s Miami Hurricanes in a down-to-the-wire thriller.

What’s Next?

Instead, the Cardinals will roll with Jacoby Brissett to start, while the Raiders counter with veteran Kirk Cousins.

Before the rib issue, Beck was sharp in his pro debut. The third-round pick finished 15-of-19 for 188 yards and a touchdown, posting a 125.4 quarterback rating in Arizona’s 33-30 loss to the Panthers. Efficient. Clean. Exactly what Cardinals fans wanted to see.

Now they’ll have to wait a little longer for the encore.

ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss contributed to this report.