Cardinals Lose Gardner Minshew to UCL Injury, Call Upon Ultimate Journeyman Josh Johnson

Gardner Minshew is officially sidelined with a UCL injury, which means the Arizona Cardinals had to make an emergency call to the only man who keeps a go-bag packed by the front door: Josh Johnson.

Johnson is signing off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad to join his 15th NFL franchise in 14 seasons. At this point, the 40-year-old quarterback doesn't need a playbook. He just needs a map of the facility and a quick reminder of what color jersey he is wearing today.

"Adam Schefter reported the Cardinals are signing Johnson off the Bengals' practice squad."

Arizona is in full scramble mode under center. They just traded Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens, rookie Carson Beck is dealing with sore ribs, and they are coming off a brutal 17-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that dropped them to 3-6 on the year.

Minshew was brought in on a one-year, $8.25 million deal to stabilize things, but the offense has completely flatlined. Bettors who have been fading the Cardinals lately don't have much reason to pivot now, especially with a depleted depth chart trying to salvage the back half of the schedule.

This move cements Arizona as obvious sellers at the trade deadline. When you are pulling a 40-year-old off a practice squad in November just to field a functional offense, the front office has already turned the page to next year's draft.

We will see if Johnson actually has to take meaningful snaps or if Beck can get healthy enough to take over. Either way, the Cardinals are just trying to survive the rest of the season without the wheels completely falling off the wagon.