Cardinals announce Kyler Murray will make first start of season 11 months after torn ACL

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Pretty much all hope is lost for the Arizona Cardinals in terms of the playoffs, but that's not stopping them from bringing back their best player.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced on Friday that Kyler Murray will start this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons, making his season debut after tearing his ACL last year.

The fifth-year quarterback tore his ACL on December 12 last year, automatically putting a damper on the 2023 Cardinals, who have started a measly 1-8.

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Kyler Murray, #1 of the Arizona Cardinals, warms up before kickoff against the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

But the team had always considered that Murray would play if his rehab were to go well, and it's apparent that it has.

Josh Dobbs started the Cardinals' first eight games, and Clayton Tune started last week while Murray was gearing up for his return, and Dobbs was traded to the Minnesota Vikings.

Counting the game in which Murray was hurt, the Cardinals went 1-13 in his absence.

Murray had been practicing for the last three weeks and was moved to the active roster on Tuesday. 

One of Murray's biggest strengths during his first four seasons was an ability to scramble, but it's unclear how much the Cardinals want him being exposed to big hits after coming off such a serious injury.

Murray even said that Gannon had told him that he may not do the things he's usually able to do, but the quarterback said he "laughed at him."

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before playing against the Los Angeles Chargers at