Kyler Murray, the star quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, has been placed on injured reserve, which means he will be out for at least the next four weeks. This announcement was made by Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon during a press conference on Wednesday. Gannon explained that the decision was made in the best interest of both Murray and the team, stating, “Feel like that’s the best thing for him and for us.”
According to Gannon, Murray is not fully recovered from his foot injury and requires additional time to heal before returning to the field. “He’s not healthy enough to play,” Gannon emphasized. The head coach highlighted that the primary focus for Murray at this time is to concentrate on his recovery. “He needs to get healthy so he can get back to playing football,” he added.
In the absence of Murray, Jacoby Brissett is set to take over as the starting quarterback in Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks, as announced by Gannon on Tuesday. The decision to place Murray on injured reserve was reached collaboratively, with Gannon mentioning that discussions occurred between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. “Talking with him, talking with some other people — obviously, a collective decision there,” Gannon explained.
Gannon acknowledged Murray's desire to return to play, noting, “He wants to be out there, but he’s not ready to go.” The coach discussed the dilemma of whether to continue trying to keep Murray game-ready while managing his injury. Ultimately, the decision was made to prioritize Murray’s health. “He’s just not there. So, that’s kind of what we decided,” Gannon stated.
There remains a possibility for Murray to return later in the season, but Gannon reiterated that the first priority is ensuring he is fully healthy. A foot injury can significantly impact a quarterback's performance, which is why special attention is being given to Murray's recovery. “I think that you hear me say all the time, injuries are different for everybody, and what positions they play, how old they are, what we’re asking them to do,” Gannon remarked, emphasizing the unique challenges that come with Murray's position.
Murray, who is 28 years old, has started five games this season, showcasing impressive statistics with a completion rate of 68.3 percent, totaling 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. In the previous season, he completed 68.8 percent of his passes for 3,851 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. As the Cardinals navigate this challenging period, all eyes will be on Murray's recovery and eventual return to the game.
