Jonathan Gannon and the Arizona Cardinals are sticking with the hot hand at quarterback -- at least for Week 10.
Gannon announced on Tuesday that Jacoby Brissett will start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks while Kyler Murray continues to recover from a foot injury suffered in Week 5.
The third-year head coach said the announcement was made to offer "clarity" for the week of practice ahead for the offense. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per sources, that surgery is not a consideration for Murray, but there's a risk of a setback if he plays before he's fully healed, a process that can take four to eight weeks.
During his Tuesday news conference, Gannon declined to go into much on Murray potentially being placed on injured reserve and did not name Brissett the starter beyond Sunday. He did, however, later tell Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that if Murray was healthy, he would've still given the starting nod to Brissett this week.
Nonetheless, Gannon did admit that he's happy with what he's seen as of late with Brissett at the helm.
"I like what the offense is doing right now," Gannon said on Tuesday, via the team's official website.
Brissett had three total touchdowns on Monday night in a win over the Dallas Cowboys, a victory that snapped an NFL-worst five-game losing streak in which Arizona had lost each game by one possession. It was Brissett's third straight start for the Cards in place of Murray, who was injured during loss to the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 5.
Though Monday saw the Cardinals win for the first time with Brissett under center, the offensive production has seen a massive uptick with the veteran at the helm.
In three games with Brissett, the Cardinals are averaging 25.7 points, 256.3 passing yards and a 56.1 third-down percentage.
In comparison, Murray's five starts have seen Arizona average 18.8 points per contest, 170.2 passing yards and a 39.7 third-down percentage.
So far this season, Murray has completed 110 of 161 passing attempts (68.3) for six touchdowns, three interceptions and 962 yards with 173 yards and a touchdown on the ground over five games. In five appearances, Brissett has thrown for 860 yards (73 of 112) with six touchdowns and one pick. He's added a rushing score, as well, which came in Monday's win.
What this means for the 3-5 Cardinals on Sunday is clear: Brissett will lead Arizona into a pivotal game against the 6-2 Seahawks, who are tied for first in the NFC West and previously defeated Murray and the Cards, 23-20, in Week 4.
Just what the future holds beyond Week 10 for Arizona and Murray, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, remains to be seen. There's chatter aplenty that this could be a "soft" sidelining of Murray. Perhaps the answer of what lies ahead in the desert will only be had when a fully healthy Murray is back.
