Quarterback Kyler Murray is set to make his first start of the year when the Arizona Cardinals play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Murray has not played since Week 14 of the 2022 season when he ended up tearing his ACL against the New England Patriots.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon said that he was “pleased” with where Murray is, but also said it would take some time for Murray to return to form.
“We got to be willing to understand that it might not look like Kyler. And I think he’s got a good expectation of that. The coaches have a good expectation of that, but I know this: He’s going to come out there and play his game and help us win,” Gannon said.
Gannon also praised his competitive nature as an overall plus for the team.
“It’s fun to be around him at practice,” the Cardinals coach said. “He’s ultra-competitive and wants to play football, but everything that he’s been doing up until this point to get himself ready to go both on and off the field, rehab, with the health stuff, with the mental stuff about playing quarterback, he’s far exceeded my expectations right now.”
Murray returned to practice on October 18 but will be added back to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, which would end his 21-day evaluation period.
If Murray isn’t 100% ready, rookie Clayton Tune will get the start. He will replace Josh Dobbs, who was traded to Minnesota at the deadline.
The Cardinals will need Murray to step up, as their only win of the season came against the Dallas Cowboys during a 28-16 game.
