why is kyler murray not playing

Kyler Murray is not playing right now because he suffered a right foot injury in Week 5 of the 2025 season, was placed on injured reserve, and the Cardinals have officially shut him down for the rest of the year after the injury did not heal as hoped. There is also ongoing uncertainty about his long‑term future in Arizona, which has fueled even more discussion around his absence.

Quick Scoop

What actually happened?

• Murray injured his right foot in a Week 5 loss (reported as a mid‑foot/right foot issue that affected his ability to push off and throw effectively).

• He tried to rehab, but discomfort and limited mobility led to him missing multiple games and eventually being placed on injured reserve on November 5, 2025.

• After additional tests and a second medical opinion out of state, coaches and doctors agreed the foot was not progressing well enough for him to safely return, so the team ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Official word from the team

• Head coach Jonathan Gannon said the injury “wasn't progressing in a way that we wanted” and confirmed Murray “will not play again this year.”

• The Cardinals kept his practice window closed even after he became eligible to return, signaling early that a comeback in 2025 was unlikely.

Deeper reasons behind the absence

Beyond the medical side, there is a context layer that fans and analysts keep talking about.

• Murray already had a major knee (ACL) injury in 2022 and spent much of 2023 recovering, so Arizona has reason to be conservative with another lower‑body issue.

• The offense has been running with other quarterbacks (like Jacoby Brissett), and there is constant chatter that the Cardinals might move on from Murray after this season, which reduces incentive to rush him back.

• Some coverage and long‑form breakdowns frame his absence as a mix of health, risk management, contract/future considerations, and evaluation of other QBs on the roster.

What forums and fans are saying

On NFL and Cardinals fan forums, the tone is a mix of frustration, speculation, and resignation.

• Many fans feel the team’s messaging has been vague, calling the situation “secrecy” or “mind games” as updates stayed non‑committal week to week before the shutdown became official.

• Fantasy football and dynasty communities are debating whether Murray will ever regain his old rushing upside, whether he’ll play elsewhere in 2026, and how much the foot and prior ACL will limit his game long term.

What this likely means going forward

• For the rest of the 2025 season, he is not expected to play at all; attention is on his rehab timeline and possible offseason trade or roster move.

• His next chapter—whether as the Cardinals’ starter, a trade candidate, or a reclamation project elsewhere—has become a major trending topic in NFL discussions heading into 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.