Arizona Cardinals designate Kyler Murray and Budda Baker to return from injuries
The Arizona Cardinals will soon have two of their best and most valuable players back. They have activated a 21-day window for quarterback Kyler Murray to practice and return from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and also have designated safety Budda Baker to return from injured reserve. When asked how much work Kyler […]
The Arizona Cardinals will soon have two of their best and most valuable players back. They have activated a 21-day window for quarterback Kyler Murray to practice and return from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and also have designated safety Budda Baker to return from injured reserve.
When asked how much work Kyler would be allowed to do at practice, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said he will be a "full go".
"We've got to see do a lot of things," Gannon mentioned. "But I know he's excited to get out there and start playing some football."
Kyler hasn't played football since week 14 of last season, when he tore his ACL against the New England Patriots. The fact that he's back from the PUP-list doesn't necessarily mean he is going to play right away.
Murray has a three-week window to practice without counting against the Cardinals 53-man roster limit. Inside this timeframe, the Cardinals have the ability to activate him at any point. If the team doesn't activate him after these 21 days, Murray goes to IR and is out for the season.
It's a highly important season for the future of Murray in Arizona. The Cardinals have two first-round picks next year — their own and the Houston Texans'. If Murray plays well, he could take the Cardinals out of the run for a younger quarterback, both because of his performance and because of the draft capital the team would have at its disposal.
Budda is back too
Safety Budda baker was placed on the injured reserve on September 18 because of a hamstring injury. He's played only one game for the Cardinals this season. Now he's back from IR and available to play.
Baker's return has long-term effects as well. The defender is in the last year of his deal, so his health is impactful on multiple levels — he can play well enough to justify an extension, but his return makes it easier for the team to trade him before the deadline if they want to.
The Arizona Cardinals have played better than expected, but still have had only one win over the first six games because of a clear talent deficit. With Kyler Murray and Budda Baker back, the team's ceiling is much higher, and they are good enough players to impact the short- and long-term outlooks of the franchise.
What should the Cardinals do with Kyler Murray?
The quarterback’s future is still uncertain.
