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Despite wearing the wrong cleats, Kyler Murray happy with first Cardinals practice

Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Kyler Murray works out during an NFL football rookies camp, Friday, May 10, 2019, at the team's' training facility in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray made his NFL debut on Friday afternoon, kicking off the first day of the Arizona Cardinals’ rookie minicamp.

While it wasn’t perfect, both Murray and new Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury were pleased with how he faired on the field.

“It was a good day overall,” Murray said, via ESPN. “But it's Day 1. You're not comfortable with everybody's routes. You don't know how they run certain stuff and stuff like that. With time, that'll obviously get better. We'll mesh up better. I thought it was a good first day.”

Murray limped to podium after first practice

After his first practice with the team, Murray limped his way to the podium for his news conference.

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“My feet hurt a little bit,” Murray said, via ESPN. “It’s been a long time since I put cleats on. I’ve been running around. The cleats were pretty new.”

The cleats Murray wanted to wear weren’t delivered to the practice facility in time, so he had to wear a new pair instead. Kingsbury said they will attempt to get the right cleats delivered in time for Saturday’s practice.

Other than that, though, Murray said he felt “pretty good” getting back on the field for the first time since his collegiate career ended.

“It was good finally touching the field again,” Murray said, via ESPN. “A lot of this process has been just a lot of talk and evaluation and stuff like that. Just to actually be able to play football again, get out here with the guys and do what you love, it was fun.”

Kingsbury impressed with start

Kingsbury, according to ESPN, spent the majority of the practice with Murray “trying to get him comfortable,” something both sides feel worked out well.

“It was fun,” Kingsbury said “We have a good relationship and he knows I'm going to do everything in my power to help him be the best player he can be. That's what he wants. He wants to be pushed.”

While Friday marked the official beginning of Murray’s career, just one day after he signed a reported $35.2 million deal, the 21-year-old said he didn’t treat the day any differently.

“He’s been born and bred to do this,” Kingsbury said. “I’ve said that all along. That’s his mentality. That’s what he’s always expected to do and be, so he’s kind of living it out right now. It may affect other people, but it’s not affecting him.”

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