The last time Kyler Murray took the field was on December 12, 2022, against the New England Patriots, when he tore the ACL in his right knee. Predictably, Murray’s surgery has caused him to miss every game since.
Murray’s injury has cost him 12 games, but according to Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, his time on the sidelines could be ending soon.
“Yeah, he’s doing a good job. I like the week that he had. We’ve got to kind of see here the next couple days, see how tonight goes and tomorrow goes, and again, though, we’re not rushing that. We’re making sure that he feels good about going out there, but he’s trending in the right direction.”
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon on Kyler Murray
Gannon doesn’t make any specific declarations about Murray’s return. Yet noting that the next couple of days were important, meaning tonight and tomorrow, it raises the question of just how close he is to making a safe recovery.
Murray is currently on the physically unable to perform list, and the Cardinals can activate him from the PUP list at any point. Gannon’s comments have even led some to believe Murray’s activation could come as soon as Wednesday.
If so, this would start a 21-day practice window for Murray’s return. If the Cardinals don’t activate him off the PUP list after 21 days, he’d have to sit out the entire season, so it’s key that they don’t begin his practice window before he’s ready to go.
Whenever the Cardinals do activate Murray’s practice window, he’ll likely still need at least a week before being thrust into the starting lineup, especially considering he’ll be operating a new offense under first-year coordinator Drew Petzing.
Joshua Dobbs has started all six games for the Cardinals this season. Arizona’s bye doesn’t come until Week 14.
Related: Kyler Murray reportedly facing uncertain future with Arizona Cardinals in 2024