The Cardinals took a significant step toward having Kyler Murray back in the lineup this past week by designating him for return. it may still be some time until the team’s franchise quarterback next sees the field, though.
By opening Murray’s practice window, the Cardinals started the three-week countdown for him to be activated from the PUP list. Failure to do so will prevent him from suiting up in 2023, but the team has expressed confidence he has made major progress from last season’s ACL tear from a physical standpoint in particular. An acclimation process within new OC Drew Petzing‘s scheme is, understandably, required.
Early or mid-November represents the expected return time for the former No. 1 pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Murray was quickly ruled out for today’s contest, but coming back at or past the end of his three-week practice window would have him line him to play either Nov. 5 or Nov. 12. For some time that has been the rough point in the schedule at which Murray’s expected return has realistically been placed at, and players are of course not required to play immediately upon being activated.
Given Murray’s contract status, his health situation through the second half of the season will be worth watching. The monster extension he signed last summer has him on the books through 2028, with plenty of rolling guarantees in place for much of the pact. That includes $29.9 million in 2025 compensation which will become guaranteed in full if Murray is unable to pass a physical this coming March, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter details.
For that reason, some have speculated the Cardinals would elect to keep the 26-year-old sidelined for the entire campaign to ensure he will be healthy come the offseason. The team is confident in their commitment to him for the short- and long-term future, though, something head coach Jonathan Gannon has repeatedly commented on. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer confirms Arizona – a team sitting at 1-5 heading into Week 7 – is not eyeing a strategy which would include moving on from Murray and drafting a successor in April (video link).
Rapoport’s report notes how the Murray pact could be relatively easy for an acquiring team to absorb, although previous pieces on that question have pointed to apathy on the part of other clubs with respect to its tradability. So long as the Cardinals stay the course with their current plan, though, that will be a moot while all eyes turn to his ongoing rehab in anticipation of his 2023 debut.
