Murray’s first game tops 1st preseason weekend
Hey, Kyler, this is for real. Sort of. Kyler Murray, April’s top overall draft pick, will make his preseason debut for Arizona on Thursday night when the Cardinals host the Chargers.
The quarterback won’t be on the field very long against Los Angeles, but he should get a chance to show some of the skills that so enamored the Cardinals. He also could wind up on the ground a few times — for the first time as a pro considering QBs don’t get hit in practice.
“I’m looking forward to having fun,” Murray says. “It’s going to be different
WHAT TO WATCH
Patriots at Lions: Former Patriots with injuries are of interest here. Trey Flowers, the defensive end who went from New England to Detroit as a free agent, is on the physically unable to perform list. Coach Matt Patricia, a former defensive assistant for the Patriots in his second season with Detroit, has been recovering from a surgically repaired left leg that’s caused him to move around the practice facility on a vehicle.
Redskins at Browns: First-round quarterback Dwayne Haskins is expected to make his Redskins debut. The 15th overall pick out of Ohio State is competing with veterans Case Keenum and Colt McCoy for the starting job. Haskins has flashed a strong arm, but made suiting up in a Cardinals jersey. Not playing for a school, you’re representing a state.”
That state saw its team have the worst record in the NFL in 2018, fire coach Steve Wilks and hire Kliff Kingsbury, an offensive guru who had recently been fired as head coach at Texas Tech.
“To be kind of pushed in as the guy, there’s no kind of grace period of leading him in with any veteran presence at that position,” Kingsbury said. “He’s remained humble. He’s remained diligent in his work habits, so I’ve been proud of that for him.”
With running back Melvin a lot of rookie mistakes in camp. Jets at Giants: Adam Gase gets started as Jets head coach. He isn’t likely to use prized addition running back Le’Veon Bell.
Eli Manning is starting a team-record 16th season, but is in the final year of his contract. Though he is the starter, Daniel Jones, the No. 6pick overall draft pick, is the heir apparent and will get plenty of preseason work, including against the Jets. Falcons at Dolphins: Brian Flores’ first game as Miami’s coach. One player to watch: Preston Williams, an undrafted receiver out of Colorado State, who has been the most impressive rookie for the Dolphins in camp.
Colts at Bills: Though Buffalo’s new-look offensive line has been Gordon’s holdout, Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson will get plenty of carries for the Chargers. Defensive tackle and first-round pick Jerry Tillery has gotten some time with the first team.
There are 11 games on the first full night of preseason play; the Broncos beat the Falcons last week in the Hall of Fame game. beset by injuries, the Bills will get their first glimpse at a retooled offense featuring receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley. Jaguars at Ravens: The Ravens are expected to use quarterback Lamar Jackson briefly to see how he handles first-year offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s revamped playbook. It will also mark the debut of former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, who will see extended time because backup Robert Griffin III is out with a broken right thumb.
Panthers at Bears: Panthers star linebacker Luke Kuechly has no qualms about playing in exhibition games. Kuechly returned to full practice this week after missing time last week, noting he got hit on the side during practice, but added that “everything is fine.”
Texans at Packers: Coach Bill O’Brien that many Texans starters should get some playing time, though it’s unlikely star defensive end J.J. Watt will be one of them. Watt left a joint practice with Green Bay early on Monday after experiencing tightness in his groin and sat out Tuesday as a precaution. Broncos at Seahawks: QB Joe Flacco makes his Denver debut at Seattle.Seattle will get its first chance to see Geno Smith and Paxton Lynch in a game situation in the competition to back up Russell Wilson. Smith has been the better of the two overall during the first couple of weeks of training camp.