The Cardinals will look to prove their offensive prowess on Monday night against the Patriots, who have one of the most stingy defenses in the NFL under Bill Belichick. However, just three games into the primetime campaign, Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray was sidelined with a non-contact knee injury. The former No. 1 overall pick scrambled in Game 1 for the Cardinals when his right knee appeared to buckle on the way to the turf. Murray was taken to the locker room and replaced by veteran backup Colt McCoy, who is believed to have suffered a torn ACL, According to Mike Jurecki.
cardinals initially ruled Murray’s return is in question, though the quarterback looked dismayed as he was taken away, putting a towel over his head as teammates consoled him. McCoy lost against New England in his first series after starting two games this year in place of Murray, 1-1, while the latter returned from a hamstring injury. Early in the second quarter, the Cardinals officially ruled Murray out, allowing McCoy to fill in for the rest of the game.
“Obviously it didn’t look good,” head coach Cliff Kingsbury told reporters after the game. “I’ve never seen (Murray) in that state, so I don’t think it’s good.”
An MRI and other tests will confirm the severity of Murray’s injury. A torn ACL will keep the quarterback out for the rest of the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, considering the injury typically requires nine to 12 months of recovery time. Murray has battled injuries in each of his four NFL seasons since entering the NFL in 2019, missing three games in 2021 with an ankle problem. However, the ACL tear would represent the most significant medical blow of his career and could prompt Arizona to rely on McCoy or another veteran backup next season.
Murray, 25, signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension this offseason, extending his contract with Arizona through 2028. He’s also been the subject of controversy for much of the year, notably feuding with the Cardinals brass prior to signing his new contract, publicly slamming reporters for over-reporting breakouts under his contract, and a 4- 8 During the opening period, he attracted criticism from the outside world for his leadership ability.
