Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is expected to be back at some point this season after tearing his ACL in Week 14 of last year.
But only he knows when.
Speaking to team reporter Darren Urban of azcardinals.com, Murray didn’t reveal a specific timetable for his return. Just that he knows when he’ll feel ready to get back on the field.
I wouldn’t want to go out there and hurt the team or hurt myself. The advice I’ve gotten from a lot of people around me is, obviously, to go when you are ready. Don’t feel pressured to come back because of this situation or that situation. I feel when that time comes, I’ll know.
QB Kyler Murray doesn’t know when he’ll return to play for the @AZCardinals as he rehabs his knee.
“I feel when that time comes, I’ll know.”https://t.co/d3cIJl3ONb
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) July 29, 2023
Murray added that he spoke to Joe Burrow this offseason about the rehab process, given how the Cincinnati quarterback bounced back from his 2020 injury. Burrow noted that his biggest mental hurdle was feeling confident in the pocket.
That’s something every athlete [does]. You’re a little scared to run the first time you pull a [hamstring]. But with reps, with everything, confidence comes. Even in the weight room, the first time I do things, I’m hesitant. The first time I jumped, I was hesitant. But we are preparing the body, preparing the mind to be able to do those things. I do think the first time I’m out there, maybe I might be [hesitant], but with the reps the confidence will grow.
The two-time Pro Bowler says he’s also been taking reps mentally so that he doesn’t fall behind in the new coach’s system: “… the fact we are on it and constantly doing it, it’s been easy.”