Kyler Murray Appears to Suffer Season-Ending Knee Injury vs. Patriots

Dynamic quarterback Kyler Murray went down with an apparent non-contact right knee injury after an open-field cut on the third play of Monday night's game and had to be carted off the grass field.

By video, Murray appeared to suffer a torn right knee ACL when he planted to cut upfield, according to the Pro Football Docs.

If confirmed, he will miss the rest of the season and may not return effectively until mid-to-late season next year.

Murray will undergo an MRI after the game, but initial news appears bleak

The Cardinals initially deemed Murray questionable to return with a knee injury, but ruled him out a short time later. 

Long-time backup Colt McCoy replaced the 25-year-old. 

The injury mechanism – collapsing after a change-of-direction plant causes the knee to shift – is often associated with a torn ACL.

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson suffered a nearly identical injury in the preseason and came away with a torn meniscus and bone bruise. However, he was saved by residual laxity in his knee from a PCL sprain in 2021. 

State Farm Stadium uses a retractable grass field and Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid noted in Week 1 that the sod was loose after kicker Harrison Butker and cornerback Trent McDuffie both slipped and suffered significant injuries. 

Arizona, 4-8, is several games out of a playoff spot and just signed Murray to a five-year, $230.5 million contract last offseason. 

Sports Injury Central is the home of Pro Football Doc – the FanDuel Official Injury Expert – and a leading panel of former team physicians from the NFL, CFB, NBA, and MLB. The team analyzes injuries to give fans an edge with their wagering and fantasy sports activities. For our free newsletter and injury-based bets throughout the NFL and NBA seasons, sign up for free here.