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Kyler Murray Expected to Start First Game After Injury
After recovering from a serious knee injury, Kyler Murray expects to start his first game of the season as quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals when they host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Despite Murray’s expected return in Week 10, the Cardinals are considered a +1.5 home underdog against the Falcons.
The Falcons have had a rough season, with a 2-7 record against the point spread, making them one of the worst betting teams in the NFL. In contrast, the Cardinals have a 4-5 against the spread record, showing some promise despite only winning one game this season.
Murray suffered a noncontact knee injury last December and underwent reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ACL in January. During a recent press conference, Murray expressed his emotions, stating, “I’m kind of emotionless. Not trying to get too high, get too low. It’s been a long, long 10 months.”
Taking over amidst a six-game losing streak, the Cardinals upset the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, marking their first and only win of the season so far. The team also underwent organizational changes in the off-season, which included firing head coach Kliff Kingsbury and hiring Jonathan Gannon as the new head coach.
The Cardinals also made changes at quarterback, starting with veteran Colt McCoy before ultimately trading for Josh Dobbs, who was later traded to the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Clayton Tune, who struggled in his NFL debut in Week 9, will return to his backup role with Murray’s expected return as the starter in Week 10.
Without Murray, the Cardinals struggled offensively, ranking low in scoring and passing yards. Murray, who signed a lucrative contract extension before the 2022 season, is eager to justify his salary with a strong return to the lineup.
Murray is excited to play under new head coach Jonathan Gannon, who he claims sees eye to eye with him. Gannon, however, cautioned that fans should not expect Murray to perform at his best in his first game back.
Before his injury, Murray had a successful career, being the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and posting impressive passing and rushing statistics. He will look to continue his success as he returns to the field after a long recovery.