A 2-0 start gave the Arizona Cardinals a ton of promise about what the 2025 season could mean for them. Losing their next four, though, has severely put them behind the eight ball. To make matters worse, a loss to the Tennessee Titans might have been the worst loss for any team this season. Unfortunately, with the way the last few years have gone for Arizona, it is hard to envision a major change.
As they try to figure out what the rest of the season could look like, they also have to deal with a worst-case scenario for their quarterback. The former first overall pick, Kyler Murray, missed their clash in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts. Against another quality opponent in the form of the Green Bay Packers in Week 7, will the Cardinals have their lead man under center back in the lineup?
Kyler Murray Injury Update
The first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray has been one of the more inconsistent names at the quarterback position. While his highs have gone nuclear, he hasn’t maintained the level long enough to be considered truly elite.
A two-time Pro Bowler, he has led the Cardinals to the postseason just once, failing to become a driving force for Arizona as a whole. Unfortunately, a major setback for his time in the league has been his injury history.
The shortest quarterback ever drafted in the first round, Murray’s size has been a hindrance in the NFL, as he has suited up in 14 or fewer games in three of his six seasons. That same injury concerns piled up this season, with a foot injury keeping him out in Week 6.
The issue doesn’t appear to be fully resolved as we enter Week 7. After the organization opted to have a walkthrough rather than a full practice, head coach Jonathan Gannon did not give a ton of insight into where Murray stands in his recovery.
Only saying “Yes” in response to an enquiry left question marks about where the dynamic dual-threat quarterback was in his recovery process. Finally, Gannon added, “Make sure that he’s healthy enough to play. We’ll progress him along here this week and see where he’s at.”
On Thursday, legendary reporter Darren Urban confirmed on X, “During open part of #AZCardinals practice Kyler Murray working but with PS pass catchers. Brissett and Slovis with regular pass catchers. Murray looks OK throwing, however.”
The Cardinals quarterback was a limited participant in practice on Thursday, and on Friday was officially listed as questionable for the Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers.
On Saturday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that Murray will not play against the Packers. “The Cardinals are once again planning to start QB Jacoby Brissett, while QB Kyler Murray (mid-foot sprain) heals,” Rapoport wrote on X. “Murray is questionable, but spent time in practice open to the media throwing to practice squad receivers while Brissett was with the starters.”
NFL insider Adam Schefter also provided another update on Murray. “Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is expected to return to play after Arizona’s bye week for its Monday night Nov. 3 game at Dallas, per sources,” Schefter wrote on X. “Murray is expected to miss his second straight game Sunday due to a foot injury, thrusting Jacoby Brissett into the starting role vs. the Packers, per source.”
Ranking 21st on PFSN’s QB Impact, Murray has been far from his usual self, especially over his last three outings. After Arizona started 2-0, Murray’s play has trailed off, affecting the rest of the team as well.
With a 2-4 record, the season is quickly starting to get out of hand. Unless Murray can return in scintillating fashion, a time for change might be arriving for the Cardinals.
Murray’s Fantasy Outlook
Here’s what PFSN’s Kyle Soppe wrote about Murray’s fantasy outlook for Week 7:
Kyler Murray played in every game last season after dealing with the injury bug for the previous two (19 games played and 15 missed), but he sat last week, and this foot sprain doesn’t sound like the type of thing that a mobile QB recovers from in a hurry.
With Arizona going on bye next week and an extra day of prep ahead of their Monday night showdown with the Cowboys in Week 9, my reflex is to have your secondary option ready this week and hope for the best as we get into November.
The problem is that “the best” hasn’t been all that good for fantasy managers. Murray’s best weekly finish this season is QB14, and he’s on a career-low pace in terms of yards per completion.
The rushing numbers have been stable (25+ in all five of his starts), but without much passing upside (two multi-TD games with a 220-yard ceiling), he’s little better than replacement level at this point.
The looming matchup with the Cowboys will be interesting if we assume he’s back, but the schedule stiffens after that, making Nov. 4 potentially “sell Kyler Murray day” should he look the part the night prior.