Kyler Murray’s absence from Cardinals’ voluntary workout ‘no big deal’
Apr 19, 2022, 4:15 PM
Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 13, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 30-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals kicked off their offseason strength and conditioning program on Tuesday without starting quarterback Kyler Murray in attendance.
He joins a handful of high-profile players from around the league planning on not attending voluntary workouts.
And while it adds to the offseason narrative of Murray’s continued contract-extension saga with the team, those who share the locker room with the signal caller aren’t overreacting to his absence.
“No big deal,” running back James Conner said Tuesday. “Guys who come here just going to work. … We know he’s working. It’s early, everybody’s just getting work right now. It’s just strength and conditioning. So it’s all good.”
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Murray may not have shown up to the team’s voluntary workout on Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t worked out with teammates at Arizona’s practice facility or elsewhere this offseason.
The decision to not attend the program wasn’t a last-minute move, either, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting Tuesday morning that Murray and many of the team’s other veterans were opting to work on their own.
As far as defensive lineman J.J. Watt is concerned, just be ready for the regular season.
“All I need him to be there for is the first game of the season and play good,” Watt said.
“We talk frequently,” Watt added. “As far as advice on contracts and things like that, if he wants my advice I’m here for it, but everyone goes through their own situation. A quarterback in this league is vastly different than any other position. Everybody knows that. It’s a quarterback driven league, you have to have a great one to have a chance at success. We’re fortunate to have a great one and I look forward to getting out there and playing with him this season.”
EXTRA POINT
– Watt on how he’s feeling coming off his shoulder injury in 2021:
“I feel great now. I would say that time [where I felt back to full strength] came maybe a couple months ago. I feel great, no issues.”
