Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon makes his feelings known on placing Kyler Murray on IR 1 day after naming Jacoby Brissett as starter

Coach Jonathan Gannon didn’t hesitate to back the Arizona Cardinals’ choice to place quarterback Kyler Murray on injured reserve. He said that health, not timing, dictated the move that removes the former No. 1 pick from action for at least four games.

Murray’s foot injury, sustained in Week 5, lingered longer than expected. Less than 24 hours after confirming veteran Jacoby Brissett as the new starter, Gannon and the front office finalized Murray’s IR designation.

Gannon spoke with reporters on Wednesday in Tempe. Gannon said the decision followed internal conversations with Murray and his representatives about what would best position the quarterback to recover.

"Feel like that's the best thing for him and for us," Gannon said.

"He's not healthy enough to play. He needs to get healthy so he can get back to playing football, so that's what we're doing."

Tom Pelissero

@TomPelissero

Jonathan Gannon on why Kyler Murray (foot) is going on IR: "Feel like that's the best thing for him and for us. ... He's not healthy enough to play. He needs to get healthy so he can get back to playing football, so that's what we're doing."

The move makes Kyler Murray eligible to return in Week 14, when Arizona visits the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 7.

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Gannon said mobility complicates recovery for Kyler Murray

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Jonathan Gannon said Kyler Murray’s foot issue is complex because of how his style depends on mobility. His ability to create outside the pocket and extend plays has long been his defining trait.

"Obviously, for him, it prevents him from being fully healthy to go play, and him, as the person that he is and the player that he is, yes," Gannon said.

"And you could look at other things, like this injury for other people might not, but he's played through some things that other positions, if they have those, they can't play with those because of what they're asked to do."

With Murray sidelined, Brissett officially takes the reins. The veteran’s experience and steady approach, Gannon said, give Arizona stability as the team enters a pivotal stretch. Rookie Kedon Slovis slides into the backup role.

According to projections from ESPN and The Athletic, Arizona faces the league’s toughest remaining schedule and holds playoff odds between 4% and 7%.