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10/13 18:48 CDT Jacoby Brissett's production raises a big question: Is Kyler
Murray the answer for the Cardinals?
Jacoby Brissett's production raises a big question: Is Kyler Murray the answer
for the Cardinals?
By DAVID BRANDT
AP Sports Writer
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) --- Veteran backup Jacoby Brissett was the fill-in for
Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murray against the Indianapolis Colts on
Sunday after Murray's ailing foot kept him out of action.
In an awkward development, Arizona's offense looked better than it has all
season.
The Cardinals (2-4) still lost their fourth game in a row, falling to the Colts
31-27, but it was jarring how well the offense functioned with Brissett in the
pocket. The 32-year-old completed 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards with two
touchdowns and an interception, the best passing output for the Cardinals this
year.
It's unclear if Murray will return this week against the Green Bay Packers. But
third-year coach Jonathan Gannon was adamant on Monday that Murray remains the
starter.
"When he's healthy and ready to play, he'll play," Gannon said.
Murray was supposed to be the savior for the Cardinals when he was drafted with
the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 after winning the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma.
And it's not like he's been a bust. He's a two-time Pro Bowl selection, he led
the team to the playoffs in 2021, and he's produced plenty of highlights with
his his ability to throw and run.
But in his seventh year with the franchise, frustration is mounting.
Whether it's Murray or Brissett under center against the Packers, the Cardinals
are running out of time to turn their season around.
"We're a good team," Gannon said. "I know their record is what their record is,
and ours is what we are, so I'm not discounting that because our record shows
that we're not a good football team. But I do think the battle is there and
we'll just keep sawing away. We'll just keep sawing away."
What's working It was a good Sunday for some of the Cardinals' lesser-known pass catchers, including Zay Jones, Michael Wilson and tight end Elijah Higgins. Jones had his most productive game for Arizona, catching five passes for 79 yards. He played a bigger role than normal once star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. left the game in the second quarter after being placed in the concussion protocol. What needs help The Cardinals' defensive front was quiet on Sunday, sacking the Colts' Daniel Jones just once. That's not what Arizona had in mind during the offseason, when the team poured money into revamping the front seven, bringing in Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell. Gannon said he thought the pass rushers played fairly well, but that there were breakdowns in the secondary that allowed Jones to make quick throws. "They made some adjustments, so we've just got to make sure we keep making adjustments," Gannon said. "You've got to affect the passer, that always has to be a core staple of us. We've got to make sure to put them in the right spots and winning, and it's not just the front, it's the back end as well." Stock up Brissett. The QB once again showed why he's considered one of the NFL's top backups. If Murray has to miss another game or two, it appears the offense is in good hands. "The hunger is there, the enthusiasm is still there," Brissett said. "There's a lot of football left, and I think the guys understand that. We're not as far off as it seems." Stock down Murray. It's hard to be critical of a guy who didn't even play, but Brissett's performance was an eye-opener. Through Murray's first five games this season, the Cardinals' passing offense ranked 30th in the NFL. Injuries Gannon didn't have updates on Harrison (concussion), RB Emari Demercado (ankle) or TE Travis Vokolek (neck/concussion), all of whom were hurt against the Colts. Key number 9 --- The Cardinals have lost their last four games by a combined nine points. Next steps The Cardinals host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl |
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