Kingsbury: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray ‘progressing’ through ankle injury
Nov 1, 2021, 5:30 PM
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) eludes the tackles of Green Bay Packers free safety Darnell Savage (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
While question marks surround Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and his status for Week 9’s tilt against the San Francisco 49ers, there was at least some positive news regarding his ankle coming out of the mini bye on Monday.
Still, head coach Kliff Kingsbury isn’t getting ahead of himself.
“Still progressing through that,” Kingsbury said Monday. “I know the weekend definitely helped, so we’ll see where it goes from here.
“I’m day-to-day with it,” Kingsbury added. “We’ll see how it progresses tomorrow, and then into Wednesday, and go from there. I don’t want to look ahead on that deal. We’ll see how he feels on Wednesday.”
Murray was slow to get up after tossing the game-sealing interception Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers.
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The signal caller was seen limping off the field after the game and said he was rolled up when asked about his health.
On Sunday, it was reported Murray suffered a sprained ankle during the final drive of the loss and the injury could have up to a two-week timetable.
Murray doesn’t have to be 100% when Sunday rolls around, but he does have to check off the necessary boxes before given the green light.
“He has played in games where he wasn’t able to really do his entire repertoire, if you will, to showcase his talents,” Kingsbury said. “Last year at times, he was pretty banged up. The previous year, I remember him playing that Rams game with a hurt hamstring.
“So, we’ll see. We’ll make sure that he’s in a good position to play at a high-level before we put him out there, that’s for sure.”
If Murray can’t go, Kingsbury and the Cardinals have “all the confidence in the world” in backup quarterback Colt McCoy.
“He would be great,” Kingsbury said of McCoy. “He approaches it like a starter. He’s here all day, every day; early, stays late, does all the stuff you want. He’s been a tremendous addition.”
The quarterback spot isn’t the only position to keep an eye on as the Cardinals get back to the practice field, namely at center.
Starting center Rodney Hudson is progressing from his back and shoulder injuries that sent him to the injured reserve. Backup Max Garcia is also on the mend after missing last week’s game with an Achilles injury.
“We’ll see what it looks like tomorrow and into Wednesday,” Kingsbury said. “When we put the pads back on Thursday, hopefully those guys can go, but that remains to be seen.”
And similar to Murray’s status, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is day to day with a hamstring issue.
“Not sure where he’s at,” Kingsbury told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Monday. “He really toughed it out the other night, which is impressive. … He wants to play, but we gotta be smart. We see how it progresses into Sunday.”
