Kyler Murray‘s long-awaited return is unlikely to happen in Week 8.
The Arizona Cardinals’ star quarterback was officially listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, but head coach Jonathan Gannon said Friday that Murray is ready to play health-wise.
“He’s fully healthy,” Gannon told reporters.
Murray (knee) logged a full practice on Wednesday and was subsequently taken off practice reports the following two days, which indicated a chance of his return this week.
A doubtful listing on Friday dashed those hopes, but all signs point toward Murray returning sooner rather than later.
“Ball jumps off of his hand,” Gannon said of how Murray looks in practice. “He’s explosive getting out of the pocket. he’s accurate, got good command of the offense right now. He threads the needle pretty well on some certain throws.”
The Cardinals are clearly taking it slow with Murray, who suffered a torn ACL on Dec. 12, 2022. The 26-year-old remains on the physically unable to perform list one week after the team designated him for a return to practice on Oct. 18.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported this week that Murray’s return is expected to happen either Nov. 5 on the road in Cleveland or in Nov. 12‘s home game against the Falcons.
Joshua Dobbs‘ sufficient play in Murray’s absence has allowed Arizona to be patient with its franchise quarterback but has only gotten the team so far. Although the Cardinals (1-6) have only managed to win one game through seven weeks, Gannon’s team has been a feisty bunch that has suffered three of its losses in one-score games.
Murray may be the missing link of a team that’s seen wide receivers Marquise Brown (32 receptions, 383 yards, three touchdowns) and rookie Michael Wilson (27/343/2) show promise in offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s system in 2023.
Arizona will have to wait at least one more week to see what the future of the offense really looks like with Murray under center.
