Kyler Murray or Clayton Tune: Who will be Cardinals’ starting quarterback against the Browns?

Will this finally be the week that Kyler Murray makes his season debut for the Arizona Cardinals?

Kyler Murray or Clayton Tune: Who will be Cardinals’ starting quarterback against the Browns?

Will Clayton Tune make his NFL starting debut or will Kyler Murray make his season debut against the Browns? (via AP)

This could finally be the week that Kyler Murray makes his return to the Arizona Cardinals and plays in his first game this season. Head Coach Jonathan Gannon stated that his franchise quarterback is “still working toward” being fully ready to step back onto the field. While the team will have the final say on Murray’s availability on Sunday, HC Gannon has stated that Murray will have a “big part” in the team’s decision-making process.

Kyler Murray is likely to insist on returning to the field in Week 9 as the Arizona Cardinals take on the Cleveland Browns. However, the team may decide to just hold off for another week and start rookie Clayton Tune instead as they would not want to risk putting Murray out there prematurely. Tune has played one snap for the team in its loss to the Seattle Seahawks where he had one completion for 4 yards.

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It has been a rough ride for the Cardinals, the team has had one of the worst seasons so far winning just one game and losing 7 games. They desperately miss Kyler Murray at QB and Head Coach Gannon cannot wait to have his floor general back. The HC said on Friday:

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He told me he is ready- and I'm not even going to tell you when he told me he is ready- but he knows he needs to do certain things and keep stacking good days and keep getting reps and playing the position to be ready to play.

Clayton Tune is likely to make his starting debut against the Cleveland Browns

With Joshua Dobbs traded to the Vikings, and Murray close to returning but not 100% ready, the path appears to be clear for rookie Clayton Tune to make his first start in the NFL against the Cleveland Browns. The final decision regarding Murray’s availability will be taken on Saturday by Head Coach Gannon after consulting with GM Monti Ossenfort, Offensive Coordinator Drew Petzing, and owner Michael Bidwill.

Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray (via AP)

If Kyler Murray is not activated to the 53-man roster by Saturday, he will not be eligible to start on Sunday. This week all three QBs on the Cardinals roster, Murray, Tune, and Jeff Driskel have had a great week of practice.

Murray, who tore his right ACL against the Patriots on the 12th of December last year looked in form at practice as though he had never missed a game. However, the final call will be taken on Saturday. In all likelihood, Clayton Tune will start against the Browns on Sunday.

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