Cardinals QB Kyler Murray ‘feeling good,’ expects to play vs. Rams
Dec 30, 2020, 12:02 PM | Updated: 12:04 pm
Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field after an injury during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 20-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was present at the team’s open portion of practice to the media on Wednesday and said he will play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
“Yeah, feeling good,” the second-year quarterback said when asked if he will play and how he’s feeling.
Murray said he got hit “in the right spot” Saturday by a San Francisco 49ers player in a 20-12 loss.
Arizona’s game in Los Angeles is a must-win — or in another scenario must-tie — for the team to reach the postseason.
Murray suffered a lower leg injury on his final snap of the loss to San Francisco. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury on Monday did not know the status of Murray’s injury and did not give specifics about the exact issue.
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He did indicate Murray’s inability to run the ball like his usual self would not rule out the quarterback from playing as a limited pocket passer.
“With Kyler, if that’s how he’s got to play, if he’s got to adjust his style, he can definitely play from the pocket and try to lead us in that way,” Kingsbury said Monday. “We’re not going to put him out there if he can’t play at a high level and doesn’t feel safe to play.”
Murray last season got experience playing exclusively from the pocket against the Rams in that season’s finale.
A hamstring tweak the week prior saw him complete 26 of 42 passes for 325 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 31-24 loss. He accounted for two rushes for no yards.
If Murray was not able to play this coming Sunday, it could come down to backups Chris Streveler or Brett Hundley to help the Cardinals beat the Rams.
The Rams themselves are down quarterback Jared Goff (thumb surgery) and leading rusher Darrell Henderson Jr. (ankle). Backup quarterback John Wolford is expected to make his NFL debut.
The Rams will also reportedly be without leading receiver Cooper Kupp, who was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Tuesday. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Kupp tested positive for the coronavirus, which puts a return for Sunday out of the question.
