Kyler Murray, Cardinals go 3-and-out in opening 3 drives vs. Chiefs
Aug 20, 2021, 6:29 PM | Updated: 8:34 pm
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury got his first 2021 glimpse of starting quarterback Kyler Murray in Friday night’s 17-10 preseason loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium.
After sitting out of the team’s first preseason contest against the Dallas Cowboys, Murray’s night was done after three drives as the signal-caller went 1-for-4 for two yards while running for eight yards on one scramble.
As a team, the Cardinals mustered a total of -1 yards in the first quarter while the Chiefs’ 73 yards led to a 3-0 lead for Kansas City at the end of the opening 15 minutes.
Arizona failed to get a first down in its opening three drives of the contest.
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Three rushing plays went for 10 yards, but six passing plays resulted in -11 yards — two of which were sacks.
Murray accounted for eight of those yards on the ground, but the QB lost the ball on one of the sacks which was pounced on by Cardinals offensive lineman Josh Jones in order to prevent a turnover.
Kingsbury had Murray start the game under center for a handoff to running back Chase Edmonds before moving to a no-huddle look from the shotgun.
But on the first two Cardinals’ third-down plays in the first quarter, a miscommunication on a crossing route from rookie wide receiver Rondale Moore and a Christian Kirk drop paired with good defense from the Chiefs resulted in Arizona having to punt the ball.
Murray’s last throw came on a 3rd-and-23 play that was nearly intercepted by Kansas City.
