Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Thursday that Kyler Murry, who missed the previous two games because of a foot problem, is ready to start the game against the Cowboys at 8pm on Monday. Murray, 28, is yet to play since he hurt his foot in Arizona’s loss to the Titans during Week 5. This was the third consecutive loss for the Cardinals after they started the year by winning two consecutive games against the Saints. Jacoby Brissett led the Cardinals offense in Murray’s absence. Brissett, despite his impressive numbers, lost both starts to the Indianapolis Colts (by four points) and Green Bay Packers (by four points). Murray’s return should help revive the Cardinals’ ground game, which hasn’t recovered since losing former Pro Bowl running back James Conner to a season-ending injury in Week 3. Arizona has averaged just 91 yards in a game this year without Murray, but 118.2 with him. Murray’s comeback is all the more impressive because the Cowboys have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. They currently rank 29th out of 32 teams in the NFL for rushing yardage, 25th overall in yards-per carry allowed, and 23rd when it comes to touchdown runs.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is likely to see an increase in targets with the Cardinals after their quarterback switch. He had only eight targets in the Cardinals’ last two games while Murray was at the center.
Murray’s potential return has many upsides. However, there is also a downside. Murray often makes mistakes because he holds the ball too much or tries a low-percentage throw that ends in the wrong hands. Murray had two interceptions in Arizona’s loss to Seattle during Week 4, and a fumble against the Titans in Week 5. Murray aside, the game on Monday is crucial for two teams that are trying to remain in the NFC playoff picture. The Cardinals (2-5), which have not won a game since Week 2, and the Cowboys (3-4-1), are both trying to get to.500 in light of last week’s humiliating loss to Denver.
As for intangibles, Murray is 2-2 on Monday night, but he’s never lost a game as a starter at AT&T Stadium. His 9-0 lifetime record dates back to his days in high school. His last game at the stadium — on October 19, 2020 — saw a Cardinals’ win of 38-10, which is the only blemish in Dak Prescott’s “Monday Night Football” career. Football” record of 5-1.
2025-10-30 20:17:33
