On Wednesday, the Arizona Cardinals will activate franchise cornerstone Kyler Murray from the injured reserve (IR). Murray tore his ACL in Week 14 of the 2022 NFL season, ending his year and placing him on the IR. The Cardinals will have 21 days from his activation to put him on the 53-man roster.
Practicing today
— Kyler Murray (@K1) October 18, 2023
Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray: NFL Career and 2023 Outlook
Kyler Murray, the first-overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, is a two-time Pro Bowler and a Heisman Trophy winner for the Oklahoma Sooners. Murray took home the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award as a rookie, tossing for 3,722 yards and 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also added 544 yards and four scores on the ground. Murray earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2021, totaling 37 touchdowns. The former high school standout led the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2022 but went 19-for-34 for 137 yards and two picks in a loss against the Los Angeles Rams.
Murray will operate in a new offensive system in 2023. The five-foot-ten gunslinger played his first four seasons under head coach and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. However, the Cardinals fired the bench boss after a 4-13 record last season. Arizona hired former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon as Kingsbury’s replacement. Former Cleveland Browns assistant coach Drew Petzing works as the offensive coordinator under Gannon. The Cardinals have scored 19.5 points per game, the 20th-best mark in the NFL.
The Arizona Cardinals Without Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray will regain his starting role when healthy. Backup quarterback Josh Dobbs has filled in for the injured Murray, throwing for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns against three interceptions. The 28-year-old has also run for 189 yards and a touchdown. Dobbs was a late preseason acquisition by the Cardinals after they cut longtime backup Colt McCoy.
The Arizona skill players will also receive a boost in production with the return of Kyler Murray. Pass catchers Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz, Michael Wilson, Rondale Moore, and Trey McBride will welcome the return of the usually efficient Murray.
