Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray might not return from torn ACL until midseason in 2023
Before he was fired as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Kliff Kingsbury told reporters it would be unlikely that quarterback Kyler Murray will be ready to start the 2023 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL and damaged meniscus in the right knee.
Now there is a report that Murray might not be ready to return even by the midway point of the season.
“My understanding is that he is going to take his time until this thing is 100% right,” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said Sunday on “NFL GameDay Morning.” “He is young. He’s got a long career. He’s not going to rush, so do not be surprised if we don’t see him to start the season or maybe even by the midway point. This injury has to heal perfectly.”
Murray suffered the non-contact injury on Dec. 12 against the Patriots at State Farm Stadium and underwent surgery on Jan. 13. Recovery time from a torn ACL is typically eight to nine months, which would be in the range of the start of next season.
For Murray to be able to regain the same type of speed and burst he had to his mobility before the injury, it would make sense that his preferred recovery time will take a little longer than most. Rapoport suggested it has become a major talking point in the Cardinals’ interview process regarding a their search for a new head coach.
The Cardinals lost their final seven games this past season to finish 4-13 and started three other quarterbacks following Murray’s injury — Colt McCoy, Trace McSorley and David Blough. A day after the season, Kingsbury was relieved of his duties, and it was announced Steve Keim was stepping down as general manager and leaving the organization to focus on his health.
Arizona has since hired a new GM in Monti Ossenfort, who spent the past three years as director of player personnel for the Titans, but he and team owner Michael Bidwill have yet to hire Kingsbury’s replacement.
The Cardinals have conducted interviews with at least seven different candidates, including former Saints head coach Sean Payton, who spent most of the day on Thursday at the team’s Tempe training facility. Two candidates — Dan Quinn and Frank Reich — are now out of the equation. Frank Reich, the former head coach of the Colts, accepted the head coaching position with the Panthers and Dan Quinn elected to return to Dallas the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
The Cardinals have requested permission to interview 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans but have yet to meet with him in person. Ryans is being heavily linked to the vacant head coaching job with the Texans, but if the Cardinals remain interested, they can arrange for an interview on Monday following the 49ers’ matchup against the Eagles on Sunday n the NFC Championship game.
Murray, the former No. 2 overall pick out of Oklahoma in 2019, won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2021. After signing a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension in July, however, Murray regressed in 2022. He averaged a career-low 215.3 passing yards per game, 6.1 yards per attempt and 87.2 passer rating.
McCoy, who turns 37 in September, is the only other quarterback presently under contract. If Murray truly won’t be ready to return until some point at or beyond the midway mark of the season, the Cardinals almost certainly will add a veteran QB to compete with McCoy for the starting job until Murray is able to play.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray might not be ready to return until midseason
