One of the worst quarterback injuries to occur since 2010 is Kyler Murray’s, who suffered from it. Injury-related season-ending absences are normal, but given the Cardinals quarterback’s timing, the team’s seasons were effectively shortened by two.
However, fantasy managers hid the quarterback before the season started in the hopes of receiving some output afterward. What is the quarterback’s condition and when will he be back? Here is the most recent.
Kyler Murray Injury Update
The 2022 season was over after the quarterback tore his ACL. Some had anticipated he would be prepared to begin in 2023, but that didn’t happen. He was assured to be out through October because the team put him on the PUP list to begin the season. In Week 5, fans hoped to get their first glimpse of the QB.
Updated (early week) return from injury projections. Based on data/experience/reports etc. you know the drill. Who am I missing? #NFL pic.twitter.com/nyAuXOmSvJ
— Edwin Porras, DPT (@FBInjuryDoc) October 16, 2023
The team has been giving the quarterback plenty of time to recover, though. There have seemed to be concerns over his return to the field every week. A purported doctor named Edwin Porras shared the most recent forecast for the quarterback’s return on Twitter/X. It still seems like he won’t be back for a while. In Week 8 or Week 9, it is anticipated that he will return to the lineup.
What Happened to Kyler Murray?
When the mishap occurred, Kyler Murray was in the middle of a losing campaign. The quarterback was out for the remainder of the season after suffering a non-contact ACL tear before the Week 14 game against the New England Patriots.
Since then, he has gradually made his way back but is still rather far away. If he returns in Week 9, it will have been almost 11 months since the injury on December 12, 2022.
You can also check out our below posts related to other stars who get injured:
- Saquon Barkley Injury Update: Giants Fans Hopeful for His Return in Week 5
- Christian Mccaffrey Injury: A Pivotal Moment for the Panthers!
When is Kyler Murray Coming Back?
Barring any setbacks, the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback is expected to return in Week 8 or Week 9. The timetable could be affected by one more factor. Jonathan Gannon, the team’s head coach, is just starting off. The head coach of the team that is currently losing could want to wait to bring Murray back until the squad is formally ruled out of playoff contention.
Practicing today
— Kyler Murray (@K1) October 18, 2023
If he waits, he will be able to tell the general manager that Kyler Murray wasn’t under contract for the entire season. With Murray back in the lineup, the coach will then have the opportunity to possibly catch teams off guard. This might help him pick up some late victories and secure the head coach another season.
Although it is possible that the second year was already granted to the quarterback, delaying the decision to bring him back would provide further protection in case a well-known candidate emerged during the offseason. Additionally, it would provide the franchise the opportunity to target a star in the 2024 NFL Draft, like Marvin Harrison Jr.
Kyler Murray Contract
Murray signed a two-year, $230.5 million contract deal with the Cardinals in 2022, with $160 million guaranteed. Murray’s contract is set to expire in 2028, when he will be 31 years old.
Murray’s contract extension is structured as follows, beginning in 2024 (numbers courtesy of Spotrac):
Year | Base salary | Cap hit | Cash AAV |
2024 | $37 million | $51.857 million | $35,950,000 |
2025 | $17 million | $45.614 million | $35,114,375 |
2026 | $22.835 million | $55.549 million | $36,600,000 |
2027 | $19.5 million | $43.535 million | $36,555,833 |
2028 | $34 million | $46.350 million | $37,955,000 |
Cardinals Quarterback Depth Chart
The team was lacking in passing talent without Murray. Nonetheless, in Murray’s absence, Joshua Dobbs has risen to the situation and proven to be a capable passer.
Prior to Dobbs’ promotion to QB1, the team also had Colt McCoy on the roster. McCoy was dismissed prior to the start of the season, leaving only Dobbs and rookie QB Clayton Tune on the 53-man roster. Jeff Driskel, the team’s veteran quarterback, stays on the practice squad.
The Cardinals’ quarterback room looks like this:
Rank | Quarterback |
1 | Joshua Dobbs |
2 | Clayton Tune |
PS | Jeff Driskel |
IR | Kyler Murray |