Arizona Cardinals’ Pro Bowler Kyler Murray suffered a mid-foot sprain in Week 5, resulting in him missing three consecutive games. Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett has taken over under center with promising results, throwing for 860 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception, resulting in a 1-2 record while averaging 26 points per game and 356 yards per game. Brissett’s efforts led to Jonathan Gannon naming him the starting quarterback for Week 10 on Tuesday.
Also Read: “A Much Better Team”: Arizona Cardinals Fans Want Backup QB to Keep Starting
Arizona Cardinals place 2x-Pro Bowler on IR
According to Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals have placed Kyler Murray on injured reserve to give his mid-foot sprain more time to heal. As a result, the two-time Pro Bowler will miss at least the next four games, and the earliest he can return is Week 14. However, if Jacoby Brissett continues to perform at a high level, it’s highly unlikely Murray will regain his starting job once he returns.
The #AZCardinals are placing QB Kyler Murray on Injured Reserve because of his mid-foot sprain, giving him more time to heal.
It’s Jacoby Brissett moving forward. pic.twitter.com/OzifZIdq62
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 5, 2025
Here’s why fans are puzzled
Some fans aren’t buying the narrative that Kyler Murray is injured, noting that if he weren’t ready to play, the Cardinals would have placed him on injured reserve earlier. They also believe it’s a soft benching, given Jacoby Brissett’s performance, the offense playing better, and we’re seeing Marvin Harrison Jr. emerge with him sidelined. Fans point to the November 14 release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, noting that Murray is an avid fan and has a partnership with the company. Finally, many believe that the team will move on from him next offseason, and they don’t want to risk him getting injured.
Fans puzzled as Arizona Cardinals’ QB heads to IR
Soft benching?
— Ball Knower (@_ball_knower) November 5, 2025
Beginning of the end for Kyler in Arizona right?
— SkolDB (@SkolDirtyBastrd) November 5, 2025
You misspelled ‘for an injured pride to protect him from scrutiny’
— JDub (@j_panthers) November 5, 2025
Dudes gonna be playing an unreal amount of COD
— Set The Line Podcast (@SetTheLinePod) November 5, 2025
First player to be placed on IR for getting his feelings hurt after being benched
— Comanager John (@ComanagerJohn) November 5, 2025
“More time to heal” = Kyler is done in AZ
— Billionaire (@PackersGOATS) November 5, 2025
We all know this is a soft benching
— Luke (@luke_westfall_) November 5, 2025
Noticing pic.twitter.com/uxsr6CQMNe
— AG (@GforGodDamn) November 5, 2025
Why IR??? He was close to playing last week.
— Danny Seabra (@seabs31_NFL) November 5, 2025
Just in time for the Black Ops 7 release next week. 👀👀
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) November 5, 2025
Everyone: Wow, they’re benching their 235mil QB
Cardinals: His foot is still hurting so we…..
Everyone: Wow, they all think we’re stupid
— Jay (@spades1015) November 5, 2025
