What Happened to Kyler Murray? Will Cardinals QB Play Against Saints After Injury Update?

Back in the 2023 offseason, Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s health was tagged as one of the league’s “biggest distractions.” It was a cloud that hung over the desert and refused to budge. Now, as Arizona gears up to face the Saints in their 2025 season opener at the Caesars Superdome, that label still stings. The stakes haven’t shrunk. For the Cardinals, this isn’t just another Sunday. It’s a test of whether their QB1 can finally leave the narrative of uncertainty behind.

The Cardinals’ latest announcement reverberated through both locker rooms and social media feeds. QB Kyler Murray has been added to the injury report with an undisclosed illness. It wasn’t just a line on a status update. For a franchise built around Murray’s arm, the health setback launched fresh uncertainty. But there’s a good update on that front. As Adam Schefter noted on X, “Cardinals are adding QB Kyler Murray to the injury report this morning due to an illness, but he’ll have no game-status designation and he will start vs. the Saints.” With just a few hours to go before kickoff, the Cardinals seem to have avoided a major setback.

Coming off his most complete season since 2020, Murray finally seemed poised to shake off years of scrutiny and injury speculation. He logged 17 starts in 2024, racking up 3,851 passing yards, 21 TDs and a 93.5 passer rating while adding 572 rushing yards and 5 TDs on the ground. After a tumultuous stretch, the 28-year-old’s presence as the unquestioned starter felt like Arizona’s biggest offseason win. But the latest illness update is concerning. Battling with his health right at the start of the season could hold him back from playing at peak condition. What happens if history repeats itself?

The QB room behind Murray is deeper than in years past, with Jacoby Brissett prepped as insurance. The Cardinals have dealt with repeated QB fluctuations since Murray’s ACL team in 2022, but the front office still insists he’s still the guy. They built the offense to complement his skill set, knowing all plans hinge on his health and availability. Murray needs to show he can play through adversity and lead decisively, especially with the early pressure on his shoulders. If he strings together healthy, dynamic performances, Arizona could pivot towards playoff ambitions. If illness or injuries linger, the team faces more tough choices… again. But there’s another angle to all this. What if this was simply a strategy on the Cardinals’ part?

Kyler Murray’s health update: part of the plan?

Kyler Murray’s health has been a talking point every season. An ongoing saga shaping Arizona’s recent fortunes. A hamstring injury in his rookie season (2019), an ankle injury in 2021, a knee injury in the 2022 season that cut a chunk of his time in the 2023 season as well. Instances of illness have also been scattered throughout his Cardinals career, missing camp sessions and throwing questions around his durability. Every time, the team has had to pivot to find solutions beyond Murray’s arm. But the timing of this latest update doesn’t seem like a coincidence to many.

As SI’s Colin Keane notes, “the Saints should be careful not to overreact to this news. For instance, defensive coordinator Brandon Staley should in no way be adjusting his game plan on the fly to account for an illness that the Saints truly know nothing about.” The Saints present a defensive challenge for the Cardinals. Murray has struggled against Staley’s aggressive schemes while he coached other teams in the past. As Keane further adds, “For all they know, the Cardinals could be playing some high-level chess and putting out a false injury report just to mess with Staley’s defense.”

Whether Murray is back at 100% or not will be determined as the first whistle goes off. But beyond this Saints matchup, how Arizona manages Murray’s health will be as pivotal as any game plan. Their ability to balance pushing their star QB toward peak performance with preserving his long-term availability will define the 2025 season for them. For now, we wait and watch the competition unfold…