ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals remaining cautious with QB Kyler Murray ahead of bye

Nov 15, 2021, 3:20 PM | Updated: Nov 16, 2021, 9:34 am
Injured Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray walks off the field after an NFL football game a...

Injured Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Panthers won 34-10. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

(AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

The Arizona Cardinals have navigated the last two games without starting quarterback Kyler Murray, who continues to heal up from a left ankle sprain suffered in Week 9.

And while he’s still progressing, his status for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks remains murky.

“We want to make sure this year he can feel as good as possible. We have the bye coming up (Week 12) and hopefully it gives us all the time to rest and recover and hit that home stretch as full go as possible,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Monday.

“But if he can play Sunday, I know he’s champing at the bit to get back out there, but we gotta be smart with him as well.”

With Murray sidelined, Arizona has played .500 ball through two games, but suffered its worst loss of the season on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Backup Colt McCoy threw for just 107 yards and an interception in the loss. He wouldn’t finish the game, either, exiting with what would later be diagnosed as a pectoral strain. Kingsbury considers McCoy day to day.

Murray’s absence was surely felt on Sunday. Still, Kingsbury and the Cardinals aren’t about to rush their star QB back out on the field. Especially with the bye week rolling around following the Seattle game.

“He wants to be back out there, but collectively, we’re all trying to come to the best place with it, whether it’s this Sunday or the bye,” Kingsbury said. “We’re ultimately gonna do what’s best for Kyler and the Cardinals and go from there. It’s gonna be close. I’m not sure if he’ll be able to go and play his game or not, but I’m hopeful.”

As for two of the linemen tasked with protecting Murray or McCoy, Justin Pugh and Max Garcia, their status updates sound much more optimistic.

“They do” have a chance to play against the Seahawks, Kingsbury said. “Both guys progressed nicely last week and I’m hoping we can at least have one of them back by Sunday.”

Pugh and Garcia missed Sunday’s action with a calf and an Achilles injury, respectively. In their places were Sean Harlow and Josh Jones.

Arizona Cardinals huddle up before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt wearing a Pat Tillman shirt  11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt wearing a Pat Tillman shirt 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones stretching before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Budda Baker high fives a coach before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy warms up before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals runningback Eno Benjamin warms up before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals runningback Eno Benjamin warms up before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury walking on the field pregame 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy warms up before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws passes at State Farm Stadium 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray walks onto the field at State Farm Stadium 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals quarterback fist bumps security at State Farm Stadium 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater warming up before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater warming up before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton warms up before taking on Arizona 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore kneeling pregame before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton warms up before taking on Arizona 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton warms up before taking on Arizona 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton warms up before taking on Arizona 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton warms up before taking on Arizona 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals banners hanging in the rafters at State Farm Stadium 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals banners hanging in the rafters at State Farm Stadium 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy enters the blue medical tent after being injured against Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton leaps in the air with excitement after team wins in Arizona 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton dives for the endzone for first touchdown of the season 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones running off the field after losing to Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton getting ready to take his first snap back with the team 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jalen Thompson celebrates an interception against Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jalen Thompson celebrates an interception against Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jalen Thompson comes up with an interception against Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Budda Baker walking onto the field against Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) American Flag on the field before at State Farm Stadium 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker chandler jones arms in the air before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones running onto the field before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Marcus Golden running onto the field before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Corey Peters running onto the field before taking on Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Arizona Cardinals run onto the field prior to game against Carolina 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell) Cardinals runningback James Connor splits defense for rushing touchdown 11/14/21 (Arizona Sports: Jeremy Schnell)

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