Kyler Murray out of Cardinals practice Wednesday, taking it day at a time

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray did not participate in practice Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury last Thursday in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Murray did rehab work on his own during practice and is “progressing,” according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

“Taking it one day at a time, not really putting anything on it,” Murray told reporters Wednesday. “Just like I said, taking it one day at a time. See where I go.”

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is taking it “one day at a time” regarding his ankle. pic.twitter.com/nhWGRg3f5p

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 3, 2021

If the quarterback’s ankle checks out by Sunday, Kingsbury said that he would be comfortable with Murray playing a road game against the San Francisco 49ers, even if he does not practice during the week. That’s something the young quarterback may not have had his coach’s confidence in during his first two years.

“We have a really good medical staff and training staff that are putting him through the ringer, trying to get him ready,” Kingsbury said. “He’s the type of player, with his ability, his understanding of the system now, long as he’s getting mental reps, we feel good about him going out and executing.

“You’ve seen the offense. Like he’s said, his legs are a luxury and he’s a pocket passer now,” Kingsbury added. “I think he can handle it well. He’s done a great job from the pocket, great completion percentage, protecting the ball. We feel good about him being able to operate even if he can’t have his full array of weapons.”

The injury was, according to FOX’s Jay Glazer, significant enough to risk Murray missing the game at San Francisco this Sunday.

Kingsbury said Monday that the long weekend without a Sunday game allowed Murray’s health to improve. Kingsbury did not want to speculate on his quarterback’s status before the team hit the field for practice Wednesday.

“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 on Monday. “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.”

Through a 7-1 start for the Cardinals, Murray is fourth in total passing yards (2,276) through Week 8, fourth in passer rating and fifth in QBR through the Cardinals’ 7-1 start.

The quarterback has not missed a start in the 40 games since Arizona made him the top pick in the 2019 draft and started him from Week 1 of that season.

If Murray is not able to play, backup Colt McCoy would get his first start with Arizona.

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