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TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett will start a third straight game Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, coach Jonathan Gannon said Saturday.
Gannon said starting quarterback Kyler Murray’s foot injury isn’t healthy enough for Murray to get the start, though Gannon added that Arizona will see over the next 48 hours if Murray could have a role on game day.
“He is getting better,” Gannon said. “He’s had some more work this last week, but like I said, he’s just not ready to go yet. But as far as, obviously, that position’s a little bit different because you got to have a plan ready. That’s why I’m just saying Jacoby’s starting, but if [Murray] can have a role, he can have a role, but you take it one day at a time.
“But I know he wants to be out there and he is doing everything he can. It’s just he’s not quite there yet.”
With the trade deadline looming Tuesday, Gannon said the decision to not start Murray was purely health related.
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Gannon was noncommittal when asked if Murray’s injury has the potential to be long term.
“What does that really mean? You know what I mean?” Gannon said. “Everyone’s different. Every player, every injury is kind of unique, and he’s been pushing. We’ve been pushing.”
Gannon said, as of now, injured reserve isn’t a possibility for Murray.
He said the next two days will decide whether Murray can or will have a role Monday night, when Arizona tries to snap a five-game losing streak on national TV.
“I’m not trying to be coy, but there’s a lot of different scenarios that can happen in two days that you would make the decision what’s best for the player and best for the team [for] that be the case,” Gannon said. “So you probably don’t know what I mean, but I think you do know what I mean.
“So weird things have happened outside of your control for 48 hours leading up to a game and things change, and so that’s kind of the reason.”
Brissett has been efficient in his two starts this season despite not winning either game.
He is averaging 299.5 passing yards per game and 7.5 passing yards per attempt and has thrown four touchdowns against one interception in the past two games, both of which Arizona has lost by four points each.
Despite his strong numbers, Brissett said he hasn’t played “good enough to win.” “We’re right there,” Brissett said Saturday. “But when you look at the film and you see plays in these critical situations where we know that we can close the gap, I think that’s the thing that we’re looking forward to doing this week.” Brissett said the uncertainty of playing every week gets “a little redundant” but said he tries to not let it affect him too much.
“He’s got really good command, understands what we’re trying to get done with each play,” Gannon said, “and he’s a vet that he doesn’t really get fooled a lot.”
