Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon backtracked from what he said Sunday night to make a change at quarterback. After initially saying Josh Dobbs would start in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns as he did for the first eight games of the season, he said Monday that either Kyler Murray or rookie Clayton Tune would be in the starting lineup.
While he would not commit one way or the other, the Cardinals plan on starting Tune, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss.
Murray is still ramping up to play. It was reported by Ian Rapoport that he would play either this week or next.
Tune has thrown one pass this season, a four-yard completion on a fake punt in Week 7.
Gannon said he would make a decision on the quarterback later in the week, but Schefter’s report suggests the Cardinals already have a plan, and it makes sense. Whoever the starter is would be better off getting a full load of first-team, game-prep practice reps rather than splitting them.
Murray will have his third week of practice this week since being designated for return from PUP. He does not have to be activated until November 8.
“He’s been working hard at practice,” Gannon said Monday. “He hasn’t played in a game yet but the things that we saw in preseason and the things that we’ve asked him to work on his game he’s done a good job with. I think he’ll go out there and sling it if he’s out there.”
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