ESPN’s Russini: Decision to play vs. Seattle up to Cardinals’ Kyler Murray
Nov 18, 2021, 9:52 AM | Updated: 10:38 am
Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals find themselves in a unique situation heading into a Week 11 divisional road matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
Arizona is currently sitting atop the NFC West standings with an 8-2 record — tied for the best in the NFL — with a Week 12 bye on the other side of Sunday’s contest in Seattle.
The Cardinals also haven’t played their MVP candidate and starting QB Kyler Murray for the last two games because of an ankle sprain he suffered in the loss to the Green Bay Packers.
But after the blowout home defeat to the Carolina Panthers this past week, Arizona has now lost two of its last three after starting the season 7-0.
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And to make matters worse, backup quarterback Colt McCoy — who led the team to a win over the San Francisco 49ers in his first spot start — suffered a pectoral injury against Carolina that required third-string QB Chris Streveler to take over under center for the remainder of the contest.
On Thursday, NFL reporter Dianna Russini shed some light on the signal-caller situation while on with ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill & Max.
“I think they wanted him to play (vs. Carolina) — that’s how I sensed it,” Russini said. “I was reading between the lines there that the organization felt that he could go but it came down to him.
“And once again, it’s going to be his decision on whether or not he can go. And we know, this is a guy who needs his legs — that’s where he’s most productive. And it’s different than when we see a guy like let’s say like Matthew Stafford right when he had his ankle injury. If you’re a pocket-passer, your ankle is not that big of a deal. But when you’re Kyler Murray, it’s essentially like having a sprained wrist for a regular pocket-passer. So this is going to be crucial to him and it’s really going to come down to whether or not he’s comfortable.”
Murray has said in press conferences during his hiatus that it is his decision if he ends up playing.
Both he and McCoy were limited for Wednesday’s practice, but the former No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma said he was “pretty close” and hopes to play Sunday in Seattle.
