Nov 12, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Daniel Lasco (36) is taken off the field in a stretcher after being hurt on a play during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Star NFL Wide Receiver Breaks His Neck, Out For The 2026 Season (Breaking News) 1
There are injuries in the NFL that force players to leave the field immediately. Then there are injuries that don’t reveal their full severity until hours later.
What happened to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson on Sunday falls into the second category, and the details are difficult to believe.
Wilson suffered a fracture in his neck during Arizona’s 17-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Somehow, he continued playing.
It wasn’t until Monday, after additional medical testing, that the Cardinals learned just how serious the injury was.
Now, the 26-year-old receiver’s season is officially over.
Also Read: 25-Year-Old Man Arrested After Pulling Out Rifle and Opening Fire at Sporting Event (Breaking News)
Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) is removed from the field on a stretcher after being injured during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; NFL Star is removed from the field on a stretcher after being injured during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Star Wide Receiver Played Through Fractured Neck Before Devastating Diagnosis (Breaking News)
According to Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur, Wilson suffered the injury on the fourth offensive play of Sunday’s game against Seattle.
But rather than immediately leaving the contest, Wilson stayed on the field.
He went on to play 44 offensive snaps and finished with six receptions for 60 yards.
At the time, the Cardinals had no indication that their leading wide receiver was dealing with a fracture serious enough to end his season.
LaFleur explained Monday that Wilson had complained of discomfort in his neck during the game, but the true severity of the injury wasn’t discovered until testing the following day.
For a player who had already been battling through two broken ribs, the diagnosis was another painful development in a season defined by adversity.
Cardinals Lose Their Leading Wide Receiver
Wilson’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Arizona.
Through nine games, the former Stanford standout had recorded 51 receptions for 546 yards and two touchdowns.
He entered Sunday’s matchup as the Cardinals’ leading wide receiver and one of the few consistent options in a struggling passing attack.
Wilson was coming off his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2025 and had established himself as a dependable target capable of making difficult catches in traffic.
His production had become increasingly important as Arizona dealt with injuries and changes throughout its receiving corps.
Now the Cardinals must find a way to replace him.
Arizona’s Receiving Corps Has Been Decimated
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson NFL Football
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Wilson isn’t the only significant loss at wide receiver.
Kendrick Bourne is also out for the season with a serious leg injury, while former first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. was traded to the Houston Texans last month.
That leaves Arizona with an inexperienced collection of receivers heading into the second half of the season.
Tight end Trey McBride remains the team’s most established receiving threat, but the lack of proven depth at wide receiver presents a major challenge.
And the injury problems don’t stop there.
Starting quarterback Gardner Minshew is also being evaluated for a potentially serious injury to his throwing elbow.
For a Cardinals team sitting at 3-6, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult.
Recent Stories: