Inactive vs. Pittsburgh

Stanton is inactive due to coach's decision for Sunday's contest against Pittsburgh.

Analysis: Stanton is the No. 3 quarterback in Cleveland, and the relative health of the team means a few healthy players need to be sidelined. Stanton isn't likely to see the field much this season, barring injury to Tyrod Taylor and Baker Mayfield.

Will play Friday against Bills

Browns head coach Hue Jackson said Stanton will get on the field during Friday's preseason game versus the Bills, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Analysis: Stanton, who didn't play in Cleveland's first preseason game, is still in the mix to be the backup quarterback, though Baker Mayfield should still be viewed as the favorite. However, Jackson likes the experience Stanton brings to the position, and a strong showing from the veteran in the preseason could make the Browns' decision more difficult, according to Petrak.

Stanton (knee) has agreed to a two-year deal with the Browns, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Stanton will likely slide in as the Browns' backup quarterback since head coach Hue Jackson has already named the recently-acquired Tyrod Taylor his starter for the 2018 season. The Browns also own two of the top four picks in the upcoming NFL draft, with which they could also be targeting their quarterback of the future. In five games for the Cardinals last season, Stanton threw for 894 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions on a 49.7-percent completion clip. However, it isn't clear…read more

Stanton (knee) won't require offseason surgery to address a torn ACL in his knee, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The quarterback clarified Monday that he's dealing with a bone bruise rather than an ACL injury, according to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site.

Analysis: Cardinals teammate Larry Fitzgerald had previously posted Sunday on his personal Twitter account after Arizona's 26-24 victory over the Seahawks that Stanton had started the final two games of the season with a torn ACL. While Stanton offered more definitive word on the nature of his injury, Rapoport's report adds that the signal caller had been playing through a chronic ACL issue for years, with the final ligament having snapped after he got over the bone bruise. Because of the lack of…read more

According to a tweet from teammate Larry Fitzgerald, Stanton played the final two weeks of the season with a torn ACL.

Analysis: This is the first mentioning of an ACL tear for Stanton, but assuming it's true, the tear likely must have been minor in nature. That said, it's possible offseason surgery will be required to correct the issue. Stanton appeared in five games for the Cardinals this year and will be heading into free agency this offseason.

Stanton competed 20 of 34 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions during Sunday's 23-0 win over the Giants.

Analysis: Lining up under center for the first time since Week 10, Stanton didn't exactly make Cardinals fans forget about the uneven quarterback play of Blaine Gabbert the last five outings. That said, two of the team's six full first-half possessions resulted in a 21-yard field goal from Phil Dawson and 13-yard TD connection with Larry Fitzgerald, all but putting the game out of reach. Stanton proceeded to open the second half with an 11-play, 75-yard march that culminated with a touchdown throw to…read more

Taking back starting job

Stanton will replace Blaine Gabbert as the starter for Week 16 against the Giants.

Analysis: Gabbert had a few moments in his first two weeks as the starter, but his five-game stint ultimately included six interceptions, two lost fumbles and 23 sacks. While Stanton can't possibly be much worse, he'll have to deal with the same injury-depleted supporting cast that made it easy for opponents to tee off on Gabbert. Sunday's matchup is the only real cause for optimism, as the Giants have surrendered a league-worst 30 passing touchdowns while allowing opponents to complete 62.6 percent of…read more

Stanton will remain the Cardinals' backup quarterback Sunday against the Rams after head coach Bruce Arians named Blaine Gabbert the Week 13 starter, Mike Jurecki of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Analysis: Facing the team that drafted him 10th overall in the 2011, Gabbert carved up the Jaguars for 241 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 38 attempts in a Week 12 win, including two big throws on the Cardinals' final drive that led to a game-winning field goal by Phil Dawson. Though Gabbert's ball protection has left something to be desired, his 6.9 yards per attempt over two starts exceeds the 5.9 mark Stanton put up over three games (two starts) in place of Carson Palmer (arm) before…read more

Stanton (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: The Cardinals know what they have in Stanton, so they're using his recovery from a sprained knee to evaluate Blaine Gabbert. Stanton will thus back up Gabbert for a second consecutive game and potentially beyond.

Stanton (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Stanton had the same designation last week and was deemed healthy enough to serve as Blaine Gabbert's backup in a 31-21 loss to the Texans. The same can be expected this Sunday against a much tougher opponent. Stanton could get the starting job back, or even enter as a mid-game replacement, if Gabbert struggles against the stingy Jacksonville defense.

Stanton (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Stanton will be no better than the backup to starting QB Blaine Gabbert this Sunday versus the Jaguars as he tends to a sprained knee, which he picked up Week 10. Due to his underwhelming performance in three games prior to the injury -- 49-percent passing, 180 yards per appearance and three touchdowns versus two interceptions -- Stanton may remain in the No. 2 spot for the foreseeable future to allow for evaluation of Gabbert. No matter, Stanton will lay in wait for another chance to direct…read more

Blaine Gabbert will get the starting nod over Stanton (knee) for Week 12 against the Jaguars, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Stanton is recovering from his knee sprain faster than expected and was even able to serve as the backup in Sunday's 31-21 loss to Houston. The Cardinals likely would give Gabbert another shot even if Stanton were at full strength, as Sunday's loss means the team would probably need to win each of its final six games to have a shot at reaching the playoffs. Given the unlikelihood of that scenario, it makes sense to evaluate the 28-year-old Gabbert, rather than starting a player like the…read more

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim sounded like he wants to see Gabbert start over Stanton in Week 12 against the Jaguars, according to Darren Urban of the team's official website.

Analysis: Stanton made a quick recovery from a sprained knee and was active for Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Texans as the backup to Gabbert, who completed 22 of 34 passes for 257 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Sitting at 4-6 in a tough conference, the Cardinals are highly unlikely to qualify for the playoffs and seem to be curious about what they might have in Gabbert. There isn't much incentive to turn back to the 33-year-old Stanton, though he does seem to be a favorite of head coach…read more

Stanton (knee) is listed as active Sunday at Houston.

Analysis: The Cardinals have deemed Stanton's knee healthy enough to play, if needed, but Blaine Gabbert will be under center from the outset of the contest.

Stanton (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans, will be a game-time decision to serve as Blaine Gabbert's backup in the contest, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Stanton was a limited participant at every practice this week after spraining his right shoulder in his second start of the season Week 10 against the Seahawks. He'll likely be ready to go by next week if he can't play Sunday, though it's quite possible the Cardinals stick with Gabbert as their starting quarterback if he fares well against the Texans. Should Stanton end up inactive, the newly signed Matt Barkley would serve as the backup Sunday.

Stanton (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: So far, the Cardinals have delayed the announcement of their starting quarterback for Sunday's matchup with the Texans. As head coach Bruce Arians told Kyle Odegard of the team's official site Wednesday, Stanton is progressing through a knee sprain, which has manifested itself in participation in drills the past two days. If the Cardinals eventually turn elsewhere at QB, Blaine Gabbert is gearing up for the start by taking most of the first-team reps.

Not expected to play Week 11

The Cardinals are expected to name Blaine Gabbert as their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Texans with Stanton (knee) unlikely to be available, sources have informed Mike Jurecki of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

Analysis: According to Craig Grialou of ArizonaSports.com, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said Stanton, who sprained his right knee in the Week 10 loss to the Seahawks, was "one of the guys that practiced" Tuesday, but it sounds like the veteran signal caller wasn't able to assuage concerns about his health. As a result, Gabbert is poised to become the Cardinals' third different starting quarterback this season, though it's expected the offense will once again skew run heavy, as it had under Stanton's…read more

Stanton (knee) participated in Tuesday's session, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. Afterward, head coach Bruce Arians said Stanton will have to prove he "can stay out of harm's way" in order to be cleared for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Analysis: Stanton sprained his knee during the second quarter of Thursday's loss to the Seahawks but toughed it out, settling at 24-of-47 passing for 273 yards and one touchdown. He's directing the offense with Carson Palmer (broken arm) on injured reserve, so if Stanton doesn't receive clearance this week, the Cardinals plan to turn to Blaine Gabbert, who handled some first-team reps Tuesday.

Suffers sprained knee in loss to Seahawks

Stanton suffered a sprained knee in Thursday's loss to the Seahawks, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Stanton, who completed 24 of 47 passes for 273 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in Thursday's 22-16 loss, appears to have also come out of the contest with a knee injury. Given that it was a Thursday game. the signal-caller will have extra recovery time, but his status for Week 11 is up in the air at this moment. Blaine Gabbert would draw the start under center should Stanto ultimately be unable to go, while the team expects to bring Matt Barkley back as insurance.

Stanton completed 24 of 47 passes for 273 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in Thursday's 22-16 loss to the Seahawks. He also gained a yard on his sole rush.

Analysis: The veteran journeyman couldn't get much going with the offense until late in the game, with a nine-play 75-yard march in the first half serving as his one solid drive. Stanton capped off that possession with a 14-yard touchdown to Jermaine Gresham, his third passing score over his two full games as a starter. The 33-year-old has been reasonably effective in his first pair of outings, but his current 50.6 percent completion rate is undeniably concerning. Stanton will look to up his efficiency…read more