After initially saying quarterback Joshua Dobbs would start the next game, Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that he has narrowed his choice to two players.
Neither one is Dobbs.
Kyler Murray, who has yet to make his season debut after tearing the ACL in his right knee on Dec. 12, 2022, will play Sunday against the host Cleveland Browns (4-3) if he’s ready. If not, then rookie Clayton Tune will start, Gannon said.
Dobbs, who has started all eight games this season for the Cardinals (1-7), will either be the emergency quarterback or Tune’s backup if Murray isn’t activated from the physically unable to perform list.
“I talked to all the quarterbacks (Monday) morning,” Gannon said. “We will keep ramping up Kyler and see how he progresses throughout the week.”
As to when Gannon will choose between Murray and Tune, Gannon said, “I truly don’t know.”
Murray must be activated no later than Nov. 8 from the PUP list to the 53-man roster. Gannon said Murray was “fully healthy” last week when he was a full practice participant, but he was given the injury designation of doubtful on Friday and was not activated for a home game this past Sunday against Baltimore.
“He’s coming off a major injury, he’s had a couple weeks of work here, he’s made major strides,” Gannon said, “but we want to make sure he feels comfortable with everything we are doing.”
The Ravens won 31-24 as Dobbs was 25-for-37 passing for 208 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions with six rushes for 26 yards and a score. Gannon said afterward that Dobbs would start in Cleveland but changed his mind after watching game film and benched the 28-year-old.
The Cardinals selected Tune in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Houston. He has appeared in one game, completing a pass for 4 yards on a fake punt against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 22.
Tune, 24, completed 34 of 59 passes for 353 yards with one touchdown and one pick in the preseason.
“The things we saw in preseason and the things we saw him work on, he’s done a good job,” Gannon said Monday. “I think he’ll go out and sling it, if he’s out there.”
Murray, 26, signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension before the 2022 season. He is 25-31-1 as a starter, having thrown for 13,848 yards and 84 touchdowns against 41 interceptions. He also has 2,204 career rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.
