The Arizona Cardinals are navigating a critical Week 6 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts with starting quarterback Kyler Murray officially questionable due to a foot injury, prompting the elevation of quarterback Kedon Slovis from the practice squad. This move signals a strong likelihood that veteran Jacoby Brissett will lead the offense, setting the stage for a pivotal game that could define the Cardinals’ season trajectory.
The Arizona Cardinals are making strategic adjustments to their quarterback room ahead of a crucial road game against the Indianapolis Colts. With starting quarterback Kyler Murray battling a foot injury and his availability in doubt, the team officially signed quarterback Kedon Slovis to the 53-man active roster from the practice squad on Saturday. This elevation provides essential depth and confirms the serious nature of Murray’s injury concerns.
Kyler Murray’s Injury Lingers, Brissett Primed to Start
Kyler Murray’s foot injury occurred in the third quarter of last week’s narrow 22-21 home loss to the Tennessee Titans. Despite the injury, he managed to finish the game. However, his practice week told a more concerning story, with Murray missing Wednesday and Thursday sessions entirely before participating in a limited capacity on Friday. His “questionable” designation leaves the door open, but reports from ESPN late Saturday night indicated that Murray is not expected to play against the Colts, setting the stage for Jacoby Brissett to take the helm. Fans will recall Murray’s resilience, as he has not missed a game since sitting out Weeks 1-9 in 2023 while recovering from surgery for a torn ACL, a testament to his determination.
Should Murray be sidelined, Jacoby Brissett is expected to get the start, with Kedon Slovis stepping into the backup role. If Murray surprisingly gets cleared, the Cardinals would operate with three quarterbacks on the active roster. Murray, 28, has put up solid numbers this season, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions in five starts. He has also added 173 rushing yards and one score, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
Kedon Slovis: The Journey to Arizona’s Active Roster
The elevation of Kedon Slovis brings a young, yet well-traveled, arm into the Cardinals’ active roster. Slovis, 24, played his college football at multiple programs, including Southern California for three seasons, Pittsburgh for one season, and BYU in 2023. Despite a varied college career, he went undrafted.
His professional journey before Arizona included training camp stints with the Colts last season and the Houston Texans this season. He was released by the Texans on August 26 before being quickly signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad two days later. This depth move highlights the volatile nature of NFL rosters, especially at the quarterback position.
Jacoby Brissett’s Veteran Presence and Familiarity
Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, 32, has been diligently preparing, taking most of the reps in practice this week. His extensive experience includes 53 career NFL starts, with a significant portion—30 of those starts—coming during his time with the very team the Cardinals are facing, the Indianapolis Colts, from 2017 to 2020. This familiarity with Lucas Oil Stadium and the Colts organization could prove to be a valuable asset.
Brissett’s confidence in his role and the offense is evident. As he shared with reporters, “I’ve been in this offense before. It was one of the reasons why I chose this place. I have the utmost confidence in myself and the offense and the guys that we have.” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon echoed this sentiment, praising Brissett as a “true pro” who understands the demands of the quarterback position and the readiness required as one play away from leading the team. More insights into Brissett’s career can be found on NFL.com.
Roster Moves and Season Implications
To make room for Slovis on the 53-man roster, the Cardinals placed punter Blake Gillikin (back) on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games. The team had proactively addressed their punting situation by signing Pat O’Donnell on Friday. Additionally, the Cardinals utilized their standard two practice squad elevations, bringing up Zach Carter and Anthony Goodlow to the active roster for Sunday’s game.
This game against the Colts is more than just another Week 6 contest; it’s a critical moment for the Cardinals. After a promising 2-0 start, Arizona has dropped three straight games, bringing their record to 2-3. A loss would push them to 2-4, significantly diminishing their playoff hopes in a competitive NFC and potentially influencing General Manager Monti Ossenfort’s strategy ahead of the November 4 trade deadline. The outcome could very well dictate whether the team operates as a buyer or a seller, making the performance of Brissett and the entire team under pressure a focal point for the fan community.
