Rams at Cardinals: Carson Beck’s first start meets a reshaped Los Angeles attack
Arizona won the teams’ first meeting by two points. The rematch brings a rookie quarterback behind a changed offensive line and a Rams receiving group missing Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Carson Beck will make his first NFL start against a Los Angeles defense that has Aaron Donald back and may also have Myles Garrett available. Across the field, Matthew Stafford faces a different kind of test: producing without his two leading wide receivers. Arizona beat the Rams 18–16 on October 18, but the personnel and pressure points have shifted considerably in the four weeks since.
- Competition: 2026 NFL regular season, Week 10; NFC West matchup.
- Game: Los Angeles Rams (5–4) at Arizona Cardinals (3–6).
- Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona; the Cardinals are the home team.
- Kickoff: Sunday, November 15 at 2:05 p.m. MST in Glendale; 4:05 p.m. EST / 21:05 UTC.
Beck’s first assignment comes without his starting center
Arizona named Beck, a third-round draft pick, its starter after an elbow injury ended Gardner Minshew’s season. The rookie has yet to take a regular-season offensive snap. His preparation has earned the coaching staff’s confidence, but Sunday will show how he handles a full-speed pass rush and NFL coverages when the decisions count. The Cardinals are 3–6 after a 17–3 loss in Seattle, according to the league’s Week 10 notes.
The center exchange is particularly important. Hjalte Froholdt is out with a concussion, and Arizona says Hayden Conner will replace him. Reserve offensive lineman Jon Gaines II is also out. Communication before the snap and the first step after it could decide whether Beck has time to find his targets. Garrett had three sacks against Washington last week, but his final designation is questionable because of a knee issue and rest. Rams coach Sean McVay expects him to play; that expectation does not settle his availability. Donald has returned to the Los Angeles defense, giving the Rams another formidable interior presence if Garrett is active alongside him.
Trey McBride offers Beck a reliable early target. The tight end has 73 catches for 598 yards this season and has made at least seven catches in 11 consecutive games, according to the NFL. Tyler Allgeier produced 237 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns over his past two games. Wide receivers Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne are both on injured reserve, adding to the importance of McBride. Arizona can ease the rookie’s burden with short throws and a credible rushing threat, but only if the protection gives those plays room to develop. Left tackle Jayden Williams is questionable with a knee injury, leaving another possible change on the edge of the line.
Stafford’s options have changed since the first meeting
Los Angeles is 5–4 and has won three straight. Stafford has thrown for 2,374 yards and 16 touchdowns through nine games; Kyren Williams has 593 rushing yards and six rushing scores. The Rams entered the week fourth in the NFL at 379.8 yards of offense per game. Those numbers describe what the team has done to date, not what this depleted receiving corps is certain to repeat.
Nacua was placed on injured reserve Thursday with knee and toe injuries, ruling him out of this game. Adams and Jordan Whittington are also on injured reserve, while tight end Terrance Ferguson has been ruled out with ankle and hamstring problems. Tutu Atwell, CJ Daniels Jr., Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and newly signed Brennan Presley are among the available wideout options. Stafford has expressed confidence in the next group, but distribution and timing will have to be established on the field. Starting offensive lineman Steve Avila is out with a hamstring injury as well.
The Rams may have to lean harder on their running backs. Williams remains the primary threat, and Blake Corum scored on the ground in the 20–13 win at Washington. That could help keep Stafford out of long passing downs. Arizona has its own defensive playmakers: Josh Sweat recorded a sack and two tackles for loss in the October win, while Budda Baker remains active near the line and in coverage. Cornerback Max Melton and defensive lineman Darius Robinson are questionable, however. Their status matters when Los Angeles decides how to attack an already vulnerable defense, which has allowed 28.3 points per game through nine contests.
The first meeting is a useful warning against treating yardage as the outcome. Stafford threw two touchdown passes that day, but the Cardinals still prevailed 18–16. Arizona’s challenge now is to give Beck manageable downs. Los Angeles must make its passing game work with unfamiliar combinations without leaving its own defense too much to do.
Injuries and availability
These designations come from the Rams’ final report and the Cardinals’ final report, both issued Friday, November 13. Sunday’s inactive lists will determine which questionable players dress.
Los Angeles Rams
- Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Jordan Whittington: on injured reserve and unavailable for this game. Nacua was placed on IR on Thursday.
- Steve Avila: out — hamstring.
- Terrance Ferguson: out — ankle and hamstring.
- Myles Garrett: questionable — knee and rest; McVay expects him to play, but he has not been cleared on the final report.
- Trent McDuffie: questionable — back; he practiced on a limited basis Friday.
- Kam Curl: questionable — toe.
- Davis Allen and Joe Cardona: questionable — oblique and ankle, respectively.
- Matthew Stafford: practiced fully and received no final game designation for his right elbow.
Arizona Cardinals
- Gardner Minshew: out for the season following an elbow injury; Beck has been named the starter.
- Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne: on injured reserve and unavailable for this game.
- Hjalte Froholdt: out — concussion; Hayden Conner is set to start at center.
- Jon Gaines II: out — ankle.
- Zach Carter: out — knee.
- Hunter Long: questionable — knee; he would also need to be activated before kickoff.
- Max Melton: questionable — knee and hand.
- Jayden Williams: questionable — knee.
- Darius Robinson: questionable — wrist.
- Roy Lopez and Andrew Wingard: questionable — toe and ankle for Lopez, groin for Wingard.
How to watch Rams at Cardinals
- Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona.
- Kickoff: Sunday, November 15 at 2:05 p.m. MST locally. Pregame coverage may begin earlier.
United States
- Time: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EST / 1:05 p.m. PST.
- TV: CBS in markets carrying this matchup; check local listings. The Cardinals’ game-specific guide names CBS.
- Local streaming: NFL+ on phones and tablets in the local market, subject to service terms.
- Out of market: NFL Sunday Ticket carries eligible Sunday afternoon games outside the viewer’s local market, subject to applicable restrictions.
Australia
- Time: Monday, November 16 at 8:05 a.m. AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne; 7:05 a.m. AEST in Brisbane; 5:05 a.m. AWST in Perth.
- Streaming: NFL Game Pass on DAZN is listed in the Cardinals’ guide for viewers outside the United States. No separate Australian television channel for this game was confirmed in the schedules checked.
United Kingdom
- Time: Sunday, November 15 at 9:05 p.m. GMT.
- TV and streaming: Sky Sports+ lists this exact game at 21:05. DAZN’s UK blackout list says Rams–Cardinals is unavailable live on NFL Game Pass there; its replay is due after the blackout period.
Arizona’s October win showed it can frustrate this opponent even when Stafford finds the end zone. The rematch asks a different question: can Beck protect the ball behind a new center long enough for the Cardinals’ defense to test a Rams attack suddenly short of established receivers?
