### Kyler Murray's Status Raises Questions as Jacoby Brissett Takes the Helm for Cardinals - The Arizona Cardinals have confirmed that quarterback Kyler Murray will not start in the upcoming Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys due to a lingering foot injury. Instead, veteran backup Jacoby Brissett will make his third consecutive start. Coach Jonathan Gannon stated that while Murray is "getting better," he is not yet healthy enough to play. Interestingly, Gannon mentioned that Murray could still be active and may have a role in the game, depending on his recovery over the next few days. This decision has sparked speculation about whether the injury is being used as a reason to bench the high-paid quarterback, especially since Brissett has performed comparably in Murray's absence [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/did_the_arizona_cardinals_bench_kyler_murray_for_jacoby_brissett/s1_17198_43002441]. ### Breakdown of the Current Quarterback Situation 1. **Injury Status of Kyler Murray** - Murray has been sidelined since October 5 due to a foot injury sustained during a game against the Tennessee Titans. He has missed the last two games, and his practice participation has been limited [https://www.standard-journal.com/ap/sports/article_396473d5-2fd6-595c-974e-15cc5e2ef55c.html]. 2. **Performance of Jacoby Brissett** - Brissett has stepped in as the starting quarterback and has thrown two touchdown passes in each of his two starts, matching Murray's production levels effectively [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/cardinals_plan_on_qb_kyler_murray_to_return_vs_cowboys/s1_17049_42989300]. 3. **Coaching Decisions and Speculations** - Coach Gannon's decision to start Brissett has led to questions about whether the foot injury is a legitimate reason for Murray's benching or if it reflects a shift in the team's confidence in their starting quarterback [https://www.si.com/nfl/cardinals-make-official-quarterback-decision-monday-night-football-matchup-cowboys]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Kyler Murray's Season Stats (2025)** - **Games Played**: 5 - **Completion Percentage**: 68.3% - **Passing Yards**: 962 - **Touchdowns**: 6 - **Interceptions**: 3 - **Rushing Yards**: 173 - **Rushing Touchdowns**: 1 [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/cardinals_plan_on_qb_kyler_murray_to_return_vs_cowboys/s1_17049_42989300]. - **Jacoby Brissett's Performance** - **Games Started**: 2 - **Touchdowns**: 4 (2 per game) - **Passing Yards**: 320 [https://www.kcentv.com/article/sports/nfl/cardinals-qb-jacoby-brissett-not-kyler-murray-will-start-vs-dallas-cowboys/287-41037bce-1b17-4e85-9161-e10caa986d3e]. ### Conclusion: An Uncertain Future for Kyler Murray 1. **Current Status**: Kyler Murray is not starting due to a foot injury, with Jacoby Brissett taking over as the starting quarterback. 2. **Performance Comparison**: Brissett has matched Murray's production, raising questions about the decision to bench the franchise quarterback. 3. **Future Implications**: The Cardinals' coaching staff may need to reassess their quarterback strategy depending on Murray's recovery and Brissett's performance in the upcoming games. The situation remains fluid, and the Cardinals will need to navigate these challenges carefully as they aim for a turnaround in their season [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/did_the_arizona_cardinals_bench_kyler_murray_for_jacoby_brissett/s1_17198_43002441].