Top Five Arizona Cardinals Stories Of 2014

Dec 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Team trainers attend to Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) after he is injured in the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Injuries Plague Cardinals

From the very beginning of the season it seemed there was a dark cloud hanging over the quarterback position.  After an impressive debut in Week 1 against the San Diego Chargers, Palmer developed nerve pain in his throwing shoulder.

Drew Stanton took over as the starter while Palmer recovered.  Originally thought to be ready to return against Oakland in week 7, Palmer’s returned was hastened when Stanton left the game against the Denver Broncos under concussion protocol.

The Cardinals wouldn’t have to deal with another injury until Week 10 against the Rams when a hit to Palmer’s knee caused an early exit from the game.  An MRI would reveal a torn ACL that would end Palmer’s season just days after signing a 3-year $50 million extension.

Head coach Bruce Arians would then turn to Stanton to lead the Cardinals into the playoffs and maintain their spot top the NFC. However Stanton’s second stint as the Cardinals starter would also end prematurely after a knee injury knocked him out of the starting lineup.

The injury didn’t end Stanton’s season but would keep him from playing in another regular season game as Arizona dropped their final two games of the season with Ryan Lindley under center.

Arizona would clinch a playoff spot but not before dropping from the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs to a wild card spot.

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