NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

Cardinals first-round rookie QB Kyler Murray was able to play Sunday against the Rams despite exiting last week’s game with a hamstring injury. But Murray wasn’t free from the effects of the injury and finished the game with zero rushing yards as he was forced to operate exclusively from the pocket. The rookie called it a good learning experience, as he finished 26-42 for 325 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

“For me, honestly, I think it helped me out, just standing there, going through reads, going through progressions,” Murray said via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. “I think it’s a teaching lesson, a learning lesson for me. I’m kind of glad. Everything happens for a reason. I thought we played well today, despite two turnovers that kind of cost us.”

Rams

• According to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, the Rams will be deliberate in evaluating potential coaching changes in the next week, though Ram HC Sean McVay is still expected to make several moves. 
• Rams signed nine players to futures contracts. (NFLTR)

Seahawks

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch‘s Sunday night statline of 12 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown doesn’t look particularly impressive at first glance. But factor in that it was Lynch’s first game action in over a year and it’s easy to see how Seahawks HC Pete Carroll is optimistic Lynch will get better. 

“He took it very well,” Carroll said via Pro Football Talk’s Curtis Crabtree. “He looked good, too. He looked aggressive and tough. We didn’t get him a lot of space on a number of those carries, but when he got in, he kind of cracked it all. He really showed he can hit it. I’m anxious for him to get another week under his belt, feeling more comfortable. He was just cramming to study the whole time just so he would know what he needed to know. He’s always been a really, really smart football player. He didn’t like the feeling of not having the grasp of everything. So, he really jumped to it. I think he’ll be sharper this week.”

• Per ESPN’s Brady Henderson, Carroll volunteered that he would love to have LB Mychal Kendricks back with the Seahawks in 2020 despite uncertainty over a torn ACL and a pending sentence for insider trading: “I really like the way he plays. I like what Mychal brings us. He’s a very active player. He’s an unusually instinctive, athletic guy for the position. That’s why we played him so much against three wides. He runs 4.4s, so he’s a real fast linebacker. I hope that we’ll get him back and get him back with us.”
• Seahawks placed C Ethan Pocic on injured reserve. (NFLTR) 
• Seahawks promoted G Kyle Fuller to their active roster.
• Seahawks signed WR Jaylen Smith to their practice squad.