Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon announced Monday that Joshua Dobbs will no longer be the starter for the team after watching his film. Rookie Clayton Tune or Kyler Murray will start on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Who Will Be the Arizona Cardinals’ Starting QB Sunday?
After the Cardinals’ 31-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, which put the team at 1-7, Gannon said Dobbs would remain the starter in Week 9 against the Browns — but plans have changed.
Gannon said he changed his mind about sticking with Dobbs as the starter after watching the film of Sunday’s loss, and he said that Murray could get the start if the team feels he is healthy enough to play.
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“Just real quick — talked on the quarterbacks this morning. We’re gonna keep ramping up Kyler [Murray] and see how he progresses through the week. If it’s not Kyler, then it’s gonna be Clayton Tune,” Gannon said.
“I’ve talked to all three quarterbacks, and we’re all on the same page on how we’re gonna operate moving forward. I look forward to having a good week of prep. Cleveland, two-day trip, try to go get a win.”
After tearing his ACL last season and having surgery on Jan. 3, 2022, Murray remains on the PUP list. He has been on the practice field and participating fully in the team’s workouts.
“He’s coming off a major injury; he’s had a couple weeks of work here; he’s made major strides, but we want to make sure he feels comfortable with everything we are doing,” Gannon said.
Dobbs has started all eight games so far this season for the Cardinals and has completed 62.8% of his passes for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. In the Week 8 loss, he put up 208 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Before his injury last season, Murray put up 2,368 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
While signs are pointing to Murray potentially being able to get the start Sunday, Tune would step in if he can’t. Tune has thrown just one pass so far in his NFL career. The fifth-round rookie out of Houston threw for 4,074 yards and 40 touchdowns in his final college season.
In the preseason, Tune completed 34 of 59 passes for 353 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Tune is “expected to start this week,” and it is more likely that Murray will make his return in Week 10.
Gannon said Tune is excited for the opportunity.
“The things we saw in preseason and the things we saw him work on, he’s done a good job,” Gannon said. “I think he’ll go out and sling it if he’s out there.”
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