Kyler Murray Placed on Injured Reserve as Cardinals Prioritize Long-Term Recovery

The Arizona Cardinals will be without starting quarterback Kyler Murray for at least the next month after placing him on injured reserve due to a lingering foot injury sustained in Week 5. Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed the decision on Wednesday, describing it as a necessary step to ensure Murray’s full recovery.

Gannon emphasized that the injury is not considered season-ending and that the team remains optimistic Murray could return before the end of the year. “We got a lot of ball to play,” Gannon said. “Right now, he’s got to pour into his health bucket and get ready to get healthy.”

In Murray’s absence, veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett will continue as the starter, with rookie Kedon Slovis serving as backup. The Cardinals also plan to evaluate potential additions to the quarterback room in the coming days.

Arizona, sitting in the bottom half of the NFC standings, hopes Brissett can provide steady leadership and stability under center while Murray focuses on his recovery.

1. Gannon: “Best Decision for Him and the Team”

The decision to place Murray on injured reserve was finalized late Tuesday and early Wednesday after discussions between the quarterback, his representatives, and team medical staff. Gannon said the move was made collaboratively and with both the player’s short-term comfort and long-term health in mind. “Kyler’s not fully healthy or ready to go yet, so this makes the most sense,” Gannon explained. “It’s about doing what’s best for him and for us. Right now, what he’s going to concentrate on is getting healthy.” Murray is eligible to return in Week 14, when the Cardinals face the Los Angeles Rams on December 7. That timeline would give him roughly five weeks of recovery, depending on his rehabilitation progress. Despite the uncertainty, Gannon noted that Murray remains engaged and focused. “He’s fully committed,” the coach said. “He’s taken the news as good as you can take it, and he’s in a good place mentally to focus on his rehab.”

2. Brissett Ready to Step In as Starter

While losing Murray is a blow, the Cardinals have confidence in Jacoby Brissett’s ability to manage the offense and maintain competitiveness. The 31-year-old has started 48 games in his career and is known for his poise and preparation. “Jacoby does his job, takes it one day at a time,” Gannon said. “He prepares whether he’s the starter or not, and now he’s ready to lead.” Brissett’s experience could be crucial for a team still searching for consistency. His ability to execute the offense, protect the football, and mentor younger players has already earned him praise within the locker room. Arizona’s coaching staff will also lean on Slovis for support, while the front office explores adding another quarterback to bolster depth. With several tough matchups ahead, the Cardinals’ offensive identity may shift toward a more balanced approach relying on the run game and defense.

3. Recovery Challenges and Long-Term Outlook

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir=“auto” tabindex="-1" data-turn-id=“request-690912e3-712c-8323-ba6c-1032b24d1d7d-9” data-testid=“conversation-turn-36” data-scroll-anchor=“true” data-turn=“assistant”>

Murray’s recovery has been particularly complex due to his playing style. Known for his elusiveness and mobility, the 27-year-old relies heavily on his legs to extend plays — making a foot injury more impactful than it might be for other quarterbacks. Gannon acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting that Murray’s athleticism makes his path to full health more demanding. “For him, it prevents him from being fully healthy to play,” Gannon said. “Other quarterbacks might be able to manage it differently, but because of what he does on the field, he needs to be at 100%.” This marks another chapter in a challenging stretch for Murray, who missed significant time last season with an ACL tear before returning to lead Arizona’s offense this year. His brief appearances in 2025 had shown flashes of his trademark explosiveness before the latest setback. For now, the Cardinals are taking a patient approach — one centered on ensuring their franchise quarterback returns at full strength. As Gannon put it, “We’re taking this one day at a time. The focus is on his health. When he’s ready, we’ll be ready.”