Arians: Cardinals will start Drew Stanton over Blaine Gabbert vs. Giants

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said Monday that he will start quarterback Drew Stanton over Blaine Gabbert on Sunday against the New York Giants.

“He’s healthy enough now, and it’s just a matter of us getting those touchdowns that are there from experience and trying to win this game,” Arians said of Stanton. “It is no way an indictment on Blaine. I think he’s played his a** off for three weeks.”

Stanton hasn’t appeared since making a start Nov. 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, a loss that saw him suffer a knee injury and play through it.

Arians said he made the decision after watching film from the 20-15 loss Sunday to the Washington Redskins. The head coach added that Stanton’s improved health played a part in switching quarterbacks.

Arizona enters its Week 16 game against the Giants having gone 10 quarters without scoring a touchdown with Gabbert under center.

Gabbert has made five starts since Stanton’s injury. The 28-year-old has completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,086 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s also fumbled three times.

Stanton has completed 48 percent of his passes in three appearances this year. He’s thrown for 540 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

“I think Blaine is a player. I really do. I think he has a great future,” Arians said. “Some of those things, he’s experiencing for the first time, and it’s not a lack of talent. It’s a lack of experience in this offense at that time.”

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