Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a neck fracture, head coach Mike LaFleur announced Monday.
Wilson sustained the injury on the fourth play of the Cardinals' 17-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday but remained in the game. He caught a 17-yard pass and landed on his head after being tackled by Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon. According to LaFleur, Wilson mentioned a "kink in his neck" during the game, but the severity of the injury was not clear until after the adrenaline subsided and he underwent testing.
The Cardinals officially placed Wilson on injured reserve Tuesday. The 26-year-old receiver had signed a three-year, $75 million contract extension before Week 1. This season, he recorded 51 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns in nine games.
With Wilson injured and Marvin Harrison Jr. having been traded in October, the Cardinals' wide receiver depth is severely tested. The remaining active receivers on the roster are Simi Fehoko, Devin Duvernay, Reggie Virgil, and Harrison Wallace. LaFleur stated that Wilson's absence creates opportunities for other players to step up.
Compounding the team's injury woes, starting quarterback Gardner Minshew may require season-ending surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. With Jacoby Brissett recently traded to the Baltimore Ravens, rookie quarterback Carson Beck would likely step in as the starter if Minshew is sidelined. Beck would face challenges with star rookie running back Jeremiyah Love also on injured reserve and a receiving group composed primarily of unproven players.
The Cardinals, currently 3-6, are set to host the Los Angeles Rams (5-4) on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.