Cardinals’ Murray practices, vows to play against Rams
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray participated in practice on Wednesday and told reporters that he expects to play in this weekend’s game at the Los Angeles Rams.
The Cardinals (8-7) have lost four of their last six games to fall behind the Chicago Bears (8-7) for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Arizona, however, would punch its ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2015 if it defeats Los Angeles (96) on Sunday.
Murray sustained a lower leg injury in the waning seconds of the Cardinals’ 2012 setback to the 49ers on Saturday.
“There’s no holding back. If we lose, I’ll be home chillin’,” Murray said. “My leg ... I’ll be fine.”
Murray completed 31 of 50 passes for 247 yards with one interception against the 49ers. He has thrown for 3,884 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while rushing for 816 yards and 11 scores this season.
Murray has passed for 7,606 yards with 46 touchdowns and 24 interceptions and rushed for 1,360 yards and 15 scores in 31 career games. The Cardinals selected him with the top overall pick of the 2019 draft. RAMS WR KUPP TESTS POSI
TIVE FOR COVID-19, OUT SUNDAY >> Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will not play Sunday due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Kupp was placed on the reserve/COVID list but the Rams had not disclosed whether Kupp was considered a close contact or had tested positive. NFL Network reported Wednesday that Kupp tested positive.
That means the Rams’ possible must-win Week 17 game against the Cardinals will be played by a Los Angeles team without quarterback Jared Goff and Kupp, the team’s leading receiver.
Goff had thumb surgery this week and was ruled out of Sunday’s game. BROWNS DELAY PRACTICE
AFTER TWO POSITIVE TESTS >> The Browns didn’t begin preparing for the Steelers on the field, but via Zoom calls. Hardly ideal before their biggest game in decades.
Cleveland had two more positive COVID-19 tests — including one for an assistant coach — on Wednesday, throwing their schedule into disorder as the team gets ready to play Pittsburgh on Sunday with a spot in the playoffs riding on the outcome.
The Browns, who have nine players currently on the COVID-19 reserve list, will make the postseason for the first time since 2002 with a win.
The team has not yet identified the positive player, and coach Kevin Stefanski would not reveal which of his staff members may have to miss the regular-season finale.
After learning of the positive tests, the team closed its facility to do contact tracing and Stefanski said players were doing virtual meetings — something that has become standard in 2020.
The NFL is monitoring the Browns’ situation to determine whether the game needs to be moved.
The Browns did have a good development as starting right guard Wyatt Teller was cleared to practice after missing two games with a sprained ankle. RODGERS: 3RD MVP WOULD
BE MEANINGFUL, VALIDATE HIS PLAY >> Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t downplaying what a third MVP award would mean to him.
Rodgers, who won the MVP in 2011 and 2014, is a top contender for this year’s honor along with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes.
“It’s not why you play the game,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “You play the game to dominate, to compete and to win rings. But anyone who says those things aren’t on their mind or not important to them is not the type of competitor that I am. That stuff is important to me, and I do relish the opportunity to be in the mix. It means I’m playing well and our team is in good position, as well.”
A third MVP award would put Rodgers in select company.
Peyton Manning leads all players with five MVP selections. He shared the award with Steve McNair in 2003 and won it in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2013.
The only other players with at least three MVP honors are Brett Favre (1995, ’96 and a co-MVP with Barry Sanders in 1997) and Tom Brady (2007, ’10, ’17). COLTS HEAD INTO CRITI
CAL GAME WITHOUT LT CASTONZO >> The Indianapolis Colts will try to make the playoffs Sunday without left tackle Anthony Castonzo.
Coach Frank Reich announced the former Pro Bowler will undergo season- ending surgery on his right ankle today. Reich did not explain how the Colts will fill Castonzo’s spot on their injury-plagued offensive line.
Indy (10- 5) needs a win over reeling Jacksonville (1-14) on Sunday and a loss by either Baltimore, Cleveland, Miami or Tennessee to make the AFC’s expanded seven- team playoff field.
VIKINGS RB COOK OUT VS.
LIONS AFTER FATHER DIES >> Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook will not play in his team’s regular-season finale this weekend after his father died Tuesday.
Dalvin Cook returned home to Miami after learning that James Cook died at the age of 46, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported. The elder Cook reportedly had been suffering from complications of diabetes.
Dalvin Cook leads the NFL with 1,918 yards from scrimmage.