ARIZONA CARDINALS

Kyler Murray accurate, completes 6 passes in Cardinals preseason debut

Aug 8, 2019, 7:38 PM | Updated: 9:16 pm
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up prior ...
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up prior to the start of the NFL pre-season game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

It wasn’t an 80-yard touchdown drive and it wasn’t a humongous play but Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray looked as advertised in his preseason debut against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Murray completed six of his seven passing attempts for 44 yards in his first drive. His night was over after that, with backup quarterback Brett Hundley taking over the duties under center.

Starting on his own two-yard line thanks to a forced fumble by inside linebacker Jordan Hicks, Murray and the offense began things with a run for David Johnson that gained a yard.

Murray’s first completion was to wide receiver Damiere Byrd for six yards on the next play.

On 3rd-and-3, Murray took his time in a pocket that gave him said time and worked through his progressions to Trent Sherfield for eight yards and a first down.

Facing 1st-and-20 following a holding call, Murray let a screen pass to Johnson develop before quickly rifling it to his running back for a gain of 14 yards.

Another completion, this time to Byrd for another seven yards, was the second first down of the drive.

In what will be one of the most noteworthy plays of the night made by Murray, the No. 1 overall pick ran a run-pass option, electing to hold the ball away from his running back and pass on a wide receiver screen to Larry Fitzgerald.

Murray showed his elusiveness on his next throw, one that was called back after rookie KeeSean Johnson stepped out of bounds before coming back into the field of play. That was ruled as his lone incompletion.

On another third down, Murray took a sack and his night was done.

It was not as good of a start for the Cardinals defense against the Chargers and Tyrod Taylor. Hicks’ forced turnover had them avoid points on the first drive but the Chargers scored a touchdown after Arizona’s punt and had 160 yards of total offense through two possessions.

Array

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) runs a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, left is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Desmond King (20), Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Desmond King, rear, and Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Kyzir White, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley (7) throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) can't take the catch as Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Brandon Facyson (28) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes the catch as Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Adrian Phillips, defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (23) and defensive back Brandon Facyson (28) defend during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Rudy Ford, left, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn watches during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) lines up against Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) pulls in a catch as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Chris Jones (25) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Geremy Davis (11) makes a catch against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tries to elude Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Chris Peace (40) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to throw against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Damiere Byrd (14) pulls in a touchdown pass as Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Jeff Richards (29) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates wide receiver Damiere Byrd scored a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers greets teammates prior to an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tries to elude Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Chris Peace (40) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to throw against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tries to elude Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Chris Peace (40) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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