Kyler Murray placed on NFL PUP list. Here's what that means for Arizona Cardinals
Somewhat lost in all of the Arizona Cardinals' roster cuts and release news Monday and Tuesday was an important update on starting quarterback Kyler Murray.
ESPN's Adam Schefter and others reported that Murray would be placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, which makes him ineligible to play the first four games of the season.
But it also means that the quarterback won't be able to practice during that time as he continues to rehab his way back from a torn ACL in December.
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon seemed to back up the reports that Murray would in fact be put on the PUP list Monday and then the Cardinals confirmed it with an announcement on Tuesday afternoon when they officially announced their cuts to get down to the NFL-mandated 53-man roster.
The Cardinals made a surprise move on Monday when they announced the release of veteran quarterback Colt McCoy, leaving rookie Clayton Tune and Joshua Dobbs, whom the Cardinals traded for last week, as the team's primary quarterbacks with Murray out.
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Gannon said the designation won’t affect Murray’s rehab schedule.
“It’s kind of like what he’s doing right now,” Gannon said Monday. “He’s got a plan that’s football related and he’s got a plan that’s rehab related. Both are important, but obviously the plan that’s most important right now is his health, so when we structure his day and his week and this last month with him, we plan accordingly for that.”
Speculation continues to surround Murray and the Cardinals, with many believing the Cardinals are tanking in 2023 in order to try to land a top draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Some of that speculation involves the Cardinals potentially taking USC QB Caleb Williams to replace Murray.
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When could Kyler Murray return for Cardinals?
The Cardinals open the season Sept. 10 at the Washington Commanders and then host the New York Giants on Sept. 17.
They host the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 24 and play at the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 1, so the soonest Murray could return would be if he was healthy enough to play on Oct. 8 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.
That would be huge if, however, with Murray not had time to practice with the team and get back up to speed with the offense.
Murray went down with his season-ending knee injury on Dec. 18 against the Patriots, in Week 14.
He had surgery on his knee on Jan. 3.
The Cardinals play at the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 15 and at the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 22.
They host the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 29 in Week 8.
Might he be back for one of those games?
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What is the NFL's PUP list?
The Associated Press recently explained, in depth, the details of the NFL's Physically Unable to Perform designation.
"Players put on the active/physically unable to perform list — or PUP — at the start of training camp have football-related injuries, like those on IR, but count against the active roster. These players can participate in all team activities other than practice and can be activated at any point during camp when they are medically cleared. A player can’t be placed on the PUP list after he has practiced once or played in a preseason game. Players on the active/PUP list could be moved to the reserve/PUP list during roster cutdowns. If placed on the reserve/PUP list, a player wouldn’t count against the active roster and must sit out the first four games."
More: Arizona Cardinals release quarterback Colt McCoy as NFL roster cuts begin
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What Kyler Murray injury update means for Arizona Cardinals
