Kyler Murray missed the Cardinals’ Week 6 game while dealing with a mid-foot sprain. The injury is not completely healed, so Arizona’s starting quarterback is set to remain sidelined.
The Cardinals plan to start Jacoby Brissett once again on Sunday, as first reported by Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 10th-year veteran made his first start for Arizona last Sunday, completing 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards. Brissett threw a pair of touchdown passes while adding one interception in the Cardinals’ most recent close defeat.
After winning by one score in Weeks 1 and 2, Arizona has dropped four straight games by a combined margin of nine points. Remaining shorthanded on offense will of course be an unwanted development for tomorrow, but Brissett’s showing against the Colts suggests he will be able to keep the team competitive on Sunday versus the Packers. As for Murray, a return could be in store for the Cardinals’ next contest.
The two-time Pro Bowler is expected to suit up after Arizona’s Week 8 bye, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. That would set Murray up for a game against the Cowboys once the Cardinals resume their schedule. Waiting until after the bye would give him additional time to heal and help reduce the chances of his ankle being aggravated. Things could of course change regarding that timeline, but given today’s update a move to injured reserve should certainly not be expected.
Brissett inked a two-year, $12.5MM pact in free agency this spring to take over QB2 duties. The 32-year-old has made 54 starts in his career, and that figure is now set to increase. Meanwhile, Murray’s progress in recovery will be worth watching closely through the Cardinals’ bye.
Most of Murray’s guaranteed money for next season has already been locked in, and he is under contract through 2028. A cautious approach will be understandable on the team’s part, and it will be interesting to see if he is back to full strength by Week 9. In the meantime, Brissett will be tasked with guiding the offense for at least one more week.
I have a bad feeling about this game. Flight was delayed seven hours with the team on it. Several impactful injures. Nixon Jacob’s might not play. I’d rather have faced a dinged up Kyler.