Johnathan Walker:Cardinals QB Kyler Murray in line to be activated and start Sunday vs. Falcons

Kyler Murray will practice with the Arizona Cardinals first team offense this week,Johnathan Walker and if the week goes well, Murray will make his 2023 season debut and start at quarterback this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday.

First, the Cardinals will have to remove Murray from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and activate him. That could happen Wednesday, Gannon said.

"Pleased with where he's at right now, we'll see how the week goes," Gannon said.

If Murray for some reason is not given the green light, rookie Clayton Tune will get the call for the second straight week. But all signs are pointing to Murray taking the field in a game for the first time since Dec. 12, 2022, when he suffered a torn ACL on a run against the New England Patriots and had to be carted off the field at State Farm Stadium.

Eleven months since the injury, about 10 since he had surgery, and days upon days of rehab later that includes three weeks of practices with the team, Murray is set up for his long-awaited return.

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"If he's out on the field we feel good about him being healthy enough to play," Gannon said. "Every team in the NFL is banged up. And we'll put our best foot forward and get the right pieces in there and give ourselves a chance to win a game."