UPDATE 12:17 p.m.: Coach Bruce Arians says Stanton "does not need surgery -- just rest." Read more from Arians at the bottom of this post.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton was knocked out of last night's game against the St. Louis Rams with a knee injury, but Stanton's not necessarily out for the year.
The Cardinals won last night's game, and have clinched a playoff berth assuming this weekend's game between San Francisco and Seattle doesn't end in a tie, but no one would expect much of a playoff run without Stanton.
The NFL "insiders" for both ESPN and the NFL Network, Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, are both citing sources that say Stanton's not done for the year.
See also: -Carson Palmer Tears ACL
Cardinals QB Drew Stanton has a sprained knee and is considered week-to-week, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 12, 2014#Cardinals QB Drew Stanton has a sprained knee and is week to week, per source. Season not believed to be over
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2014If you were wondering about the reaction to the news from #AZCardinals QB Drew Stanton's MRI on his knee, it's this: "Huge relief."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2014Stanton came into the season as the backup to Carson Palmer, whose season was cut short this year due to a knee injury. The Cardinals won all six of the games that Palmer started.
Stanton's record this year as the starter is 5-3, and on the season has thrown for more than 1,700 yards, with a 55-percent completion rating, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions.
If Stanton misses any time at all, the options aren't exactly pretty.
Ryan Lindley and rookie Logan Thomas are the other quarterbacks currently on the roster.
The Cardinals went 1-3 in the four games Lindley started in 2012. The one victory was a 38-10 victory over the Detroit Lions. Lindley was 14-of-21 passing for 104 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. The points came from three rushing touchdowns, two interceptions returned for a touchdown, and a field goal.
Ryan Lindley stats:
The other option on the roster is Thomas, who saw action before Lindley was brought on to the roster, after injuries to Stanton and Carson Palmer. Thomas completed just one of eight passes, although that one pass -- arguably an incredibly lucky pass -- went for an 81-yard TD.
Logan Thomas stats:
For those wondering about possible free agents, here's the list of available quarterbacks, as listed on NFL.com: Josh Freeman, Jordan Rodgers, Vince Young, Rex Grossman, David Garrard, Adam Weber, Zac Robinson, Seneca Wallace, Jimmy Clausen, Jon Kitna, Tavaris Jackson, Brady Quinn, Kevin Kolb, and Nick Stephens.
That list doesn't include Dennis Dixon, whom the Cardinals signed when Stanton and Palmer went down earlier this year. Dixon hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2010.
It seems that former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl during the 2008 season, actually gave some sort of thought to the idea of a comeback.
@ddockett Your killing me... If I thought I could, I would!!!!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) December 12, 2014@Cardschatter I almost feel bad enough for them that I am a little serious! This just sucks!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) December 12, 2014On Doug and Wolf this morning on 98.7 FM, Warner said, "I was up half the night actually considering could I still play." He pretty much shot down the idea, though.
UPDATE 12:17 p.m.: Bruce Arians: "Good news, Drew does not need surgery. Just rest."
Arians: "(Drew) has a chance to return this season. It's a day-to-day thing."
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 12, 2014Arians on next week's starter at QB: "I'll sit down and think who I want to play." #AZCardinals
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 12, 2014Arians when asked if @kurt13warner will return to Cards at QB: "I talked to Kurt last night, Brenda won't let him play" #AZCardinals
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 12, 2014Got a tip? Send it to: Matthew Hendley.
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