Cardinals Preparing Kyler Murray To Start Week 10

Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon told reporters they will prepare as if QB Kyler Murray is the starter this week in practice, per Omar Ruiz. 

Gannon added the caveat that Murray will need to make it through the week of practice and prove he’s ready. But he will take the first-team reps as the team prepares for the game against the Falcons. 

Murray’s window to return from injured reserve ends this week but the Cardinals plan to activate him on Wednesday. 

There had been some speculation Arizona would shelve Murray entirely to prevent being on the hook for his injury guarantees in 2025. 

Instead, the Cardinals will have a little less than half a season to gauge Murray’s recovery and his fit in the offense. How that goes will determine a lot about their approach next offseason, and at this point it’s fair to say all options are on the table. 

Murray, 26, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cardinals after making the decision to pursue an NFL career, despite being drafted in the first round by the Oakland A’s in 2018. 

Murray signed a four-year, $35,158,644 deal that included a $23,589,924 signing bonus. The Cardinals officially exercised his fifth-year option which is projected to be worth $29.7 million for the 2023 season. 

Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension that includes $160 million guaranteed with Arizona last summer. 

In 2022, Murray appeared in 11 games for the Cardinals and completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,368 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions to go along with 418 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

We’ll have more on Murray and the Cardinals as the news is available.