Team news: Arizona Cardinals | Page 5

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, in Week 2 of his practice window opening, was a full participant.

Related Players: Joshua Dobbs

The Cardinals' deadline to activate Kyler Murray is November 8th, and it now seems very likely that the team will get him in under that date. With no setbacks, Murray could conceivably be a full go for Week 9.

The Cardinals are putting TE Zach Ertz on IR, sources tell me and Tom Pelissero.

Related players: Trey McBride

Ertz, who has 27 catches for 187 yards and a TD this season, suffered a quad strain on Sunday. The plan is for him to return later in the year, the post went on to say. In the meantime, McBride will officially take over the TE1 role, but may have even before Ertz's injury. McBride had six targets in Week 7 and finished with a line of 3-29-0. However, he made some waves in Week 6 when he played more snaps and finished with a line of 4-62-0. If you're struggling at the position, McBride is certainly worth a look.

The Cardinals are planning to open the practice window for QB Kyler Murray today, the first step in a slow process to ramp him up, coach Jonathan Gannon said. Murray and the team will be smart with his return from an ACL tear, but being on the practice field is a good step.

It would likely help fantasy managers if the Cardinals won a couple of games, as there is still no assurance that they would not shut him down for the year if it's already a lost season. Regardless, this is a good sign that we may see him on the field at some point in 2023.

It sounds like Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is getting closer to his return to play after tearing his ACL last December.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said in a Monday radio interview with Arizona Sports 98.7 that Murray is doing a “good job” in his rehab, adding he liked the week that the quarterback had.

“We’ve got to kind of see here the next couple days, see how tonight goes and tomorrow goes, and again, though, we’re not rushing that,” Gannon said, via Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic, who noted that Gannon was hinting “very strongly” that Murray is making enough progress to be designated to return. “We’re making sure that he feels good about going out there, but he’s trending in the right direction.”

Related players: Joshua Dobbs

Dobbs has filled in fairly nicely for the Cards so far this season, but the team will at least need to see what they have with Murray and their offense at some point. The Cards will eventually have a decision to make - trade Murray and draft a QB of the future, or keep Murray after signing him to a longterm deal.

But in the Cardinals’ Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, it was Trey McBride — not Zach Ertz — pacing the tight ends room in offensive snaps (44). His receptions (four) and receiving yards (62) were also tied for the team lead.

HC Jonathan Gannon said McBride has been consistent since OTAs. He also called him an explosive player and a good blocker. McBride may not be on the fantasy radar just yet, but now could be the time to add him, especially if you are among the fantasy owners who don't have a legit TE1 option.

The Cardinals are placing RB James Conner (knee) on injured reserve, per source. He’s out at least four games.

Related players: Keaontay Ingram, Emari Demercado, Corey Clement, Tony Jones

As we reported all this week so far, any missed games from Conner could mean is Demercado Season. Ingram has missed the last couple of contests with his own injury, and when Conner went down last week, Demercado took over the lead role at running back - and even scored a touchdown. He's not necessarily a safe fantasy play, but in deeper leagues you may be able to at least count on his workload. The Cardinals travel to play the Rams which are among the better teams in rushing defense.

Zay Jones is considered day-to-day after aggravating a knee injury during Jacksonville’s victory over Buffalo in London.

Related players: Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Jamal Agnew

HC Doug Pederson had noted while speaking Monday that Jones was slated to undergo an MRI. Jones had also missed Weeks 3 and 4 with a knee issue. In three games this season, he has eight catches for 78 yards with two touchdowns.