Cardinals to start 3rd-string center vs. Rams with Hjalte Froholdt ruled out

TEMPE — Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur ruled out starting center Hjalte Froholdt for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams due to a concussion.

Backup guard/center Jon Gaines II remains out for the fourth straight game with an ankle issue, so third-string center Hayden Conner will make the start.

Froholdt has not missed a game since he joined the Cardinals ahead of the 2023 season, while Conner has not played a snap at center in his two NFL seasons so far. Conner has made two starts this year, both at guard.

The Cardinals are starting rookie quarterback Carson Beck on Sunday for his NFL debut against a defense with future Hall of Famers Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald lined up against what will be Arizona’s sixth starting offensive line combination this season.

The positive is that Beck and Conner have received a lot of playing time together, working on the scout team and this week with the starters. It is similar to Beck stacking reps with the wide receivers who began the season as backups but who now have to step into starting roles due to injuries, so at least there is some familiarity even if the circumstances are far from ideal.

“These guys were showing our defense the opposing offenses over the last few weeks. They’ve gotten a lot of work together,” LaFleur said. “They’re just doing it with our plays.”

Cardinals injury updates

LaFleur also said defensive lineman Zach Carter, whose 21-day practice window opened up this week, will not play against the Rams.

Fellow defensive lineman Roy Lopez has a chance to play after he left last week’s game in Seattle with a toe injury.

Running back Bam Knight will be good to go after missing a game while in concussion protocol.

Defensive lineman Darius Robinson showed up on the injury report on Thursday with a wrist issue, and LaFleur said something popped up during Wednesday’s practice. The Cardinals will see how the next couple days go for Robinson.

Edge rusher Josh Sweat missed practice on Wednesday (which is typical) and Thursday with a rest/shoulder designation, but LaFleur said he feels good about Sweat going into the weekend.

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