Murray rejoins Cards after ACL recovery
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray — almost always a man of few words — announced the next step in his return from an ACL injury with a two-word statement.
“Practicing today,” Murray posted on social media.
A few minutes later on Wednesday, the Cardinals made if official, announcing that Murray has been designated to return from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Arizona can activate Murray to the 53-man roster at any time during the next 21 days or at the conclusion of the three-week period.
Murray got hurt against New England on Dec. 12. He was flushed out of the pocket and running to his right when he tried to fake out a defender but tumbled to the grass in pain.
Now the Cardinals (1-5) are getting closer to see how Murray will perform with a new coaching staff, including head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
Murray’s return means Joshua Dobbs’ days as Arizona’s starting quarterback are almost certainly coming to an end. Dobbs was acquired in a trade with the Browns just before the start of the regular season, performing well over the first few weeks before regressing during the team’s current three-game losing streak.
Also on Wednesday, Arizona’s two-time Allpro safety Budda Baker was designated to return from injured reserve. He’s missed five games with a hamstring injury.
Surgery to end Richardson’s year
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson has taken the final snap of his rookie season, opting for season-ending surgery on his injured throwing shoulder.
Coach Shane Steichen confirmed the decision before Wednesday’s practice.
Steichen said the team consulted multiple medical officials, weighed the long-term health of Richardson and his future with the franchise before everyone agreed surgery was the best option. Steichen did not say when the surgery would take place.
Richardson suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder at the end of a short run Oct. 8 against Tennessee.
Richardson also sat out the final minute of the season opener with a bruised knee and sore ankle and missed six more quarters after entering the concussion protocol during the first half of a Week 2 game at Houston. He only finished one of four starts.
Veteran Gardner Minshew replaced Richardson all three times and will now make his third start with the Colts on Sunday against Cleveland.
Minshew is coming off his worst performance of the season, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble, in a 37-20 loss at Jacksonville.
Browns’ Watson unsure on return
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson still can’t practice with a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder, an injury that has kept him out of two games and potentially more.
Watson confirmed he’s dealing with a “tricky” injury to his right shoulder and said it’s impossible to gauge when he’ll be back on the field.
“I mean it can be any day,” Watson said. “It can be tomorrow, it could be Sunday, it can be two weeks from now. I’m not even sure.”
If he can’t play this week at Indianapolis, P.J. Walker will start.
Odds and ends
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell received his long-expected contract extension, a deal that adds three years through March 2027. Financial terms weren’t immediately known. Goodell reportedly earned $63.9 million for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. … All-pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey practiced for the first time this season on Wednesday after recovering from a torn meniscus suffered in training camp. He will not play Sunday night against Philadelphia. …
The New York Jets are trading seldom-used wide receiver Mecole Hardman back to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Jets are sending a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft to the Chiefs for a sixth-rounder. … Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens was hit by a car Monday night after getting into an altercation on a Calabasas, Calif., basketball court, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department. Owens was not injured and did not require medical treatment. An investigation is ongoing, the Sheriff ’s Department said.