Murray sharp in brief debut; Callaway draws suspension
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kyler Murray wanted to take his team on a scoring drive Thursday night, and even checked twice with his coach to see if he could play beyond one possession.
Arizona didn’t take any chances with their prized rookie quarterback, but Murray completed nearly all of his passes and showed the mobility that made him the top overall draft pick, going 6-for-7 for 44 yards in 10 plays during the Cardinals’ first offensive series of the game.
Then he put on a headset, took off his pads and watched the Cardinals’ 17-13 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the preseason opener for both teams.
“I was just going out there and being myself, like always. Trusting in my abilities,” Murray said. “I wanted to score. I wanted to go back in. I was definitely itching for more.”
The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner, starting his first NFL drive at the Cardinals 2 after a fumble recovery by linebacker Jordan Hicks, picked up three first downs, with his longest completion a 14-yard short pass to running back David Johnson. Murray didn’t have an official carry, but worked out of the shotgun and rolled out several times.
“He made quick decisions, that’s what we’re looking for. Operated well and took care of the football,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
Browns WR Callaway suspended 4 games
The NFL suspended Cleveland wide receiver Antonio Callaway four games without pay for an unspecified violation of the league’s policy and program on substance abuse.
Callaway will sit out the first four regular-season games. The 22-year-old can practice and play in preseason games before his suspension begins.
Odds and ends
Oakland starting right guard Gabe Jackson will be sidelined about eight weeks after injuring his left knee during joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams. A person familiar with the diagnosis said Jackson hurt his medial collateral ligament when someone rolled into his leg. … Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck is expected to miss three more practices with a strained left calf. He has not been on the field since July 28. … Philadelphia acquired defensive end Eli Harold in a trade that sent rookie offensive lineman Ryan Bates to Buffalo. Harold has four seasons of NFL experience and proved to be the odd man out after signing with the Bills in April. The 25year-old has nine sacks in 61 career games, including 24 starts. Bates is an undrafted free agent out of Penn State. … Colin Kaepernick wants to play in the NFL, even if he has to compete to get on the field. A person close to Kaepernick told the Associated Press: “Colin has always been prepared to compete at the highest level and is in the best shape of his life.”