Kyler Murray takes next step in ACL recovery, itching for early return

He has begun running. The Cardinals are trying to temper his hopes for an extra early return.

Many believe Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will miss at least half the 2023 in his recovery from a torn ACL. If he has anything to do with it, he will not.

According to Compare.bet’s Kyle Odegard (and former AZCardinals.com reporter), Murray has taken the next step in his recovery.

He began straight-line running a couple of weeks ago and has not had any setbacks.

Per Odegard, Murray badly wants to get back on the field to play and wants to return the earliest moment possible.

The team is trying to pump the brakes.

From Odegard:

The new coaching staff in Arizona has been trying to manage those expectations, intent on taking a measured approach to ensure there is a low chance of re-injury.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon has said Murray will play when he is both physically and mentally ready. He has said that it will be his own call ultimately when Murray returns, once Murray has reached a certain point.

We know he is an extreme competitor. He is excited about the new coaching staff and offense. He has been engaged all offseason.

What’s left is him getting healthy.

This encapsulates everything we need to know about Murray and how the team is handling him:

If it were up to Murray, a return to action would come as soon as he felt able, but the Cardinals want to be mindful of his long-term future when that decision is made.

Murray suffered the injury in December and had surgery in January.

When former Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer tore his ACL in 2014, it was in November and he was ready to start the season and even got work in during training camp.

Using a similar timeline. Murray could be ready to practice towards the end of the preseason and could eye a mid-to-late October return.

That would be on the most optimistic end of things.

But so far, so good for his return.

And that is great news.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]