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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

Jonathan Gannon won’t rule out rookie QB Clayton Tune as Week 1 starter

The Arizona Cardinals are less than three weeks away from their season opener and it doesn’t look like quarterback Kyler Murray will be ready to play in Week 1. That is no surprise.

Colt McCoy has been operating as the first-team quarterback but his play in the preseason, albeit very limited snaps, has not been impressive.

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Is the door open for rookie Clayton Tune, drafted in the fifth round this year?

Head coach Jonathan Gannon won’t rule it out.

When asked on Wednesday if Tune could start in Week 1, he left the door open.

“We’ll see,” he said. “We’re evaluating that every day and we’ll make those decisions when we need to.”

Tune has played the bulk of both preseason games as Gannon believes he needs the game reps.

That is especially important if he ends up being a third-stringer who gets limited practice reps in the regular season.

Tune’s play in the preseason has not been particularly impressive. It hasn’t been bad. He has shown some promise as an NFL quarterback.

But would that be enough to supplant McCoy and the known commodity he is?

My guess is no, but Gannon preaches competition constantly so to name someone a starter now would be to stray from that.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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