49ers’ DeForest Buckner: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is ‘like a little squirrel’

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Teammates and opponents have touted Cardinals rookie Kyler Murray for his speed because of the kind of speed the quarterback possesses.

The No. 1 overall pick can go from 0 to 100 mph real quick, dip and dive at a moment’s notice, and do it in small amounts of space.

Leave it to an aptly named San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle to describe Murray’s speed this way after facing the quarterback for the first time Thursday.

“He’s like a little squirrel back there,” DeForest Buckner told reporters. “Like a little squirrel running everywhere and everything. Next time we go against them, we have to do a better job at containing him and keeping him in the pocket.”

In Arizona’s 28-25 loss at State Farm Stadium, Murray completed 17 of 24 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed five times for 34 yards.

That’s not to say the Niners didn’t get their hands on the jitterbug rookie.

San Francisco’s Dee Ford, Dre Greenlaw and Buckner all recorded sacks on Murray, the 2019 draft’s No. 1 overall pick. Meanwhile, No. 2 pick and 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa didn’t have a sack and only recorded one tackle.

Bosa gets another chance to take down the only player drafted ahead of him in two weeks, when the Cardinals head to San Francisco for a Nov. 17 rematch.

Buckner, by the way, didn’t appear worried that Murray might see his quote and use it for bulletin board material heading into their second game.

Asked if the “little squirrel comment” was a compliment, Buckner only said this: “Take it how you want to.”

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