Kyler Murray has been one of the NFL’s better and more promising young quarterbacks since he entered the league in 2019.
However, he suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 this season against the New England Patriots, and it isn’t a given that he will be ready for training camp or the start of the 2023 campaign.
Murray shared a photo from his rehab process, and it is a reminder of how hard it is to fully come back from such an injury.
#Cardinals QB @K1 shared a glimpse into the process of his rehab after undergoing surgery to repair his torn ACL.
Just take a look at his face. Rehab is tough. Fans usually take it for granted and assume a player will just be ready for Week 1, but it’s a long, hard road. pic.twitter.com/3WZ4gpCTO0
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 27, 2023
A torn ACL is one of the worst injuries any athlete, not just a football player, can suffer, and although the technology regarding rehabbing such an injury has improved over time, it still entails a long process full of lots of hard work.
Athletes can often regain their speed going up and down the field after such an injury, but sometimes regaining their lateral quickness and explosion is another story.
Murray’s greatest and most unique strength has been his quickness in the open field, which he has used to elude defenders and gain yardage with his legs.
It’s a talent that allowed him to log 418 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in 11 games this season, as well as 819 yards and 11 scores in the 2020 season.
In general, it was a frustrating season for his Arizona Cardinals.
They first had to deal with the suspension of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who violated the NFL’s policy having to do with performance-enhancing drugs, and they’re expected to trade him as soon as the offseason officially starts.
Arizona ended the season with a seven-game losing streak, and it ended up finishing with the second-worst record in the NFC.
It will have the third overall pick in April’s NFL draft, and between that and the eventual return of Murray, they will be hoping to return to the playoffs next season.
