When the Arizona Cardinals visit the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, it might be considered a tale of two quarterbacks.
Daniel Jones is thriving in his new home and Kyler Murray might not be able to answer the bell, which could make Indianapolis (4-1) an even bigger favorite than the 7 1/2-point spread reflected at mid-week.
Jones is coming off another efficient effort last week in a 40-6 rout of Las Vegas, completing 20 of 29 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Through five games, Jones’ completion percentage (71.3) and QB rating (105.1) are career highs.
It’s quite a turnaround for the 28-year old Jones, who flamed out last year with the New York Giants and wound up 2024 as a backup to Sam Darnold in Minnesota. Jones admits that New York’s constant losing ways took a toll on him.
“I don’t know if I could say I ever hated the game,” he said. “But those drives back from the stadium after a loss, stuck in traffic, make you think about a lot of things. The end in New York was tough and you go through a lot.”
Jones has led the Colts to 163 points in the first five games. Only the 2007 Colts, with stars like Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, have scored more points (164) in the first five games of a season in Indianapolis history.
The team did get bad news last week as Spencer Shrader suffered a torn ACL and MCL while being roughed after kicking an extra point. Michael Badgley, who hasn’t kicked since last July after tearing a hamstring, won a tryout Tuesday to earn the job.
“I always knew I was going to get back so I just kept a positive mindset,” Badgley said.
Meanwhile, Arizona (2-3) faces the possibility of being without Murray. He injured his foot in the third quarter of last week’s 22-21 upset loss at home against Tennessee and was able to finish the game.
But Murray missed practice Wednesday, leaving backup Jacoby Brissett to handle the reps. Coach Jonathan Gannon said that if Murray was healthy enough to play, he would play. If not, the Cardinals will try to snap their three-game skid with Brissett at the controls.
“He’s a true pro,” Gannon said of Brissett. “I know that term gets thrown around but when you’re in his seat, the quarterback position is the hardest in sports and to know that you’re one play away from your role changing, you really do got to be on the details like you’re the starter.”
If Brissett has to play, he at least brings extensive experience to the huddle. The 10-year veteran has started 53 games, 30 of them with Indianapolis in four seasons. He went 11-19 as a Colts starter, throwing for 31 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.
Murray’s status is one of many stories around Arizona. Gannon was fined $100,000 by the franchise for punching running back Emari Demercado after he dropped the ball just outside the goal line, turning a 72-yard touchdown run into a touchback that started Tennessee’s comeback from a 21-6 deficit. Gannon apologized to Demercado and the team for the incident.
Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (pectoral), who didn’t play last week, didn’t practice Wednesday. Seven starters were listed on their initial injury report.
The Colts meanwhile had six players on their initial injury report, with three not practicing at all. Among them was starter Kenny Moore II, who sat out with an Achilles injury.
