Out since Oct. 5 with a foot injury, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, and will miss at least four more games.
The Cardinals announced Tuesday that Jacoby Brissett would start against the Seattle Seahawks, but the IR move clears the way for Brissett to remain the starter for the foreseeable future.
“It’s the best thing for him and for us,” Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon said of Murray being placed on IR. “He’s fully committed. What he is going to concentrate on is getting healthy. He is not healthy enough to play, and he needs to get healthy so he can get back to playing football.”
ESPN reported earlier this week that the Cardinals have been informed by foot doctors that the two-time Pro Bowl QB’s recovery timeline could last four to eight weeks.
With the IR move, the earliest Murray could return is Dec. 7 for a Week 14 home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Murray, 28, has completed 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions in five starts this season. The No. 1 overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft has rushed for a team-high 173 yards and one score.
Brissett, 32, has passed for 860 yards and six touchdowns in his three starts. He also has been intercepted just once. He passed for 261 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas in Monday’s 27-17 victory.
The Cardinals are averaging 25.7 points per game under Brissett with a low output of 23 games.
In Murray’s five starts, Arizona averaged 20.6 points and scored more than 21 points just once.
Kedon Slovis, 24, is the backup quarterback. He hasn’t taken an NFL snap.
Brissett will make his fourth consecutive start Sunday when the Cardinals (3-5) visit the NFL West-leading Seahawks (6-2).
