The Cardinals suffered a lopsided defeat on Monday, but they could have their starting quarterback available this week when they attempt to get back on track. Signs are pointing towards Kyler Murray returning in Week 12. 
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury described Murray on Wednesday as “definitely trending in the right direction” to be available on Sunday. The 25-year-old himself added that he expects to suit up against the Chargers (Twitter links via team reporter Darren Urban). That would mark his first game action since Week 9.
Veteran backup Colt McCoy has filled in for Murray over the past two games, including an impressive win over the Rams and Monday’s blowout loss to the 49ers. It was reported earlier this week that the Cardinals were at least considering keeping Murray sidelined for this week, as it is Arizona’s final game before their bye. Instead, the former No. 1 pick will apparently have the opportunity to test out his hamstring before then.
Murray has had a down year amidst the Cardinals’ continued struggles on offense this season. The Oklahoma product has posted a career-low passer rating of 86.9 while throwing 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. His rushing ability (359 yards and two touchdowns) has been a factor in his play as well, as always, but Murray’s performance has fallen short of expectations to date.
That has taken on added significance given the massive extension he signed this summer, just months after Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim inked long-term deals of their own. With the team being unable to correct the mistakes of years past, and relations with Murray having seemingly taken a downturn, Kingsbury is reportedly under increased danger of being let go no later than the conclusion of this season.
Against that backdrop of potentially added urgency, Murray will look to return to full health and provide a boost to the team’s middling offense. At 4-7, a playoff push may not be entirely out of the question if a winning streak starts soon, including as early as Sunday against the 5-5 Chargers.
He must be worse at COD this year then playing QB to be back this soon after the newest release.
They should also expect a loss
If they miss the playoffs, Kingsbury seems like he should be fired at the end of the season. Four years is an eternity of a chance for a head coach in today’s NFL and so far, he’s under .500 overall and has only one playoff game under his belt. They need a new coach and a new direction.
I agree with you that coaches today are on a short leash but how successful have those organizations that change coaches and direction every four years been? Many coaches inherit teams that have been train wrecks. It’s going to take them a minimum of two years just to clean up the mess they found. Teams that have shown long term success always have a solid foundation and strong continuity and that can’t be created overnight.
They just gave Kingsbury a $massive contract extension – and it’s likely the first year or two is fully guaranteed, thus he’s not going to be fired anytime soon.
The Cardinals are also likely attributing his team’s poor performance to player injuries.
Kingsbury isn’t going anywhere not with that contract ex he signed.
In a perfect world, Murray, Keim, and Kingsbury would all be gone. Similar to Denver, Arizona is stuck with an underperforming QB and may just have the option of relieving the problematic coach. The similarities end there, but it’s a significant one. Paton is a far superior GM to Keim in my opinion, but he likely has a better chance to go than Keim does (not that I think it’s likely).
If the teams had the option, I think that they’d be okay shedding their starters as well. Murray has seemed disinterested his entire career in my personal opinion, and the question is if the coach handpicked for him couldn’t inspire him to go the extra mile, with an offensive roster built to help him personally succeed and a massive contract at his back, could anyone else actually accomplish that feat?
Well… it prolly won’t change the outcome but go get em little fella.
The lolipop guild is the third strongest union in the world and kyler murray is their chancellor when hes abled to be bothered as such