So far in 2022, Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is mostly running on empty

Regarding Kyler Murray, there is one thing for which there is no debate: Aside from his accuracy and competitiveness, what sets him apart from most quarterbacks is his ability to beat defenses with his legs.

Whether it’s with designed runs, avoiding pass rushers or gaining chunks of yards on scramble plays, those instances can change games at any moment.

We witnessed it in the Week 2 win over the Raiders, but the current reality is that Murray is running less and the overall passing attack has been a shell of what it was at its best the last two seasons.

A certain measure of that can be attributed to the absence of 6-feet-1 wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. We might learn how much when Hopkins returns after Week 6. However, the present state of the offense is concerning and the Cardinals can’t afford to dig too deep of a hole in the next three games.

While three games is not a large sample, it also can’t be ignored what we see with our eyes or what the numbers say.

In the first three weeks, Murray has rushed 12 times for 65 yards (5.4 average) and one touchdown. Last year, it was 17 runs for 70 yards (4.1) and three scores, but the passing game was playing at a high level. More on that momentarily. In 2020, Murray had 187 yards rushing on 26 attempts (7.2) and four touchdowns.

History tells us that the more Murray runs, the better chance the Cardinals have of winning. In his 50 NFL games, including last season’s playoff loss to the Rams, the Cardinals are 9-1 when Murray has 10 or more rushes, 14-14 when it is five to nine and 0-11-1 when it is zero to four. Actually, it’s two to four, because he’s never had a game with one or zero runs.

However, Murray had only one game last season where he had 10 rushes and that came in a win over the Bears. The other nine came in his first two seasons. It’s also notable that the team’s overall record when he has played with an injury the past two seasons is 4-10.

In the victories, he had a total of 40 rushing attempts. In the losses, the total was only 41.

As for the passing game, the comparison to the first three games of last year is stark.

This season, Murray has completed 90 of 141 passes (63.8 percent) for 784 yards (5.56 per attempt), three touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 82.6. His average per completion is 8.7 yards. After three games in 2021, he was 78-for-102 (76.5 percent) for 1,005 yards (9.85 per attempt), seven touchdowns and four interceptions for a passer rating of 113.4. That’s an average per completion of 12.9 yards.

Third downs have been a nightmare. Murray has completed 12 of 28 passes (42.9 percent) for 109 yards (9.1 yards per completion/3.89 per attempt) with two touchdowns, an interception and 62.9 passer rating.

Last year, the first three games produced 14-of-22 passing (63.6 percent) for 186 yards (13.3 yards per completion/8.45 per attempt) with four touchdowns, one interception and a 111.0 rating).

It also can’t be overlooked that Hopkins had 13 catches for 158 yards (12.2 average) and three touchdowns in the first three games in 2021. Or that the departed Christian Kirk had 15 receptions for 239 yards (15.9 average) and two scores. Notably, Kirk currently has 18 receptions for 267 yards (14.8 average) and three touchdowns for the 2-1 Jaguars, a team that has scored 84 points in its first three games.

The Cardinals were planning on Rondale Moore filling Kirk’s role, but he has yet to play this season.

It’s inarguable that Murray is running less, but is it because of what defenses are doing, playing more zone, or does the struggling passing offense limit what Murray is able to do with his legs?

Murray candidly pointed the finger at the plan so far this season.

He said Wednesday, “If I’m asked to do it, then I do it. There’s certain situations late where it’s gotta come scrambling and stuff like that where teams might not allow me to scramble as much. People ask me why I’m not running and stuff like that. It’s not want-to or anything like that. I’ve said I would love to implement that more, but I do what I’m asked to.

“I’ve seen the stats. But like I said, the plays that are called I go out there and try to execute.”

Murray did, however, agree that zones like the Rams played Sunday can reduce the opportunities to run.

“The Rams got up on us and it’s more of a bend-don’t-break mentality,” he said. “In that certain situation, it is tough when everybody’s eyes are on me in scramble situations. Designed runs, it’s a little different; doesn’t really matter, but when everyone’s eyes are on the quarterback, yeah, it’s gonna be hard to get out and go. In man, everyone’s eyes are on the receivers and it’s easier to make somebody miss when they’re guarding the guy they’re covering.”

When coach Kliff Kingsbury was asked whether defensive strategies are making it a challenge for Murray to run, he said, “It’s hard to tell sometimes. He didn’t get out as much last week, but they were really keeping things in front; bend but don’t break. But he picks his spots and knows when to utilize his legs.”

So far, that hasn’t been the case, but it appears clear that will need to change to a certain degree for the offense to reach expectations.

Inside slants

Kingsbury wasn’t being totally forthright when asked Wednesday after practice who among the players not practicing were because of injury and not a rest day. He thought for a moment and said, “A.J. (Green/knee), I think would be the only one.”

That turned out not to be the case when the injury report was distributed a few hours later. Having rest days were tackle Kelvin Beachum, wide receiver Marquise Brown and tight end Zach Ertz. Out because of injury where it was thought to be rest were center Rodney Hudson (knee), guard Justin Pugh (elbow) and defensive end J.J. Watt (calf). Also out were nose tackle Rashard Lawrence (hand) and linebacker Ezekiel Turner (ankle).

Limited were linebacker Zaven Collins (shoulder), running back James Conner (knee), wide receivers Greg Dortch (back) and Rondale Moore (hamstring) and kicker Matt Prater (right hip).

The best news was the return of Moore, who was injured in practice three days before the season opener.

“He was limited some, but good to have him back out there,” Kingsbury said. “Hopefully, he progresses to the point that we can get something out of him Sunday. I don’t know to what extent yet.”

On what Moore can add to the offense, aside from being another receiver under 5-feet-9, Kingsbury said, “He’s a playmaker. He had a really good training camp. We were looking forward to utilizing him in some different ways, but coming off whatever he’s been out, three or four weeks, we’ll be smart and limit what he does, but he’s definitely got some juice and was playing at a high level in camp, so hopefully he can go.”

After Sunday’s game, Kingsbury said of Moore, “We’re going to make sure he’s 100 percent before we ask him to come back.”

Murray said, “He looked good. Looked fresh, rejuvenated. I know he’s been itching, scratching to try and get back out there. But you got to take your time. It’s a long season and he knows that.”

As for Green, Kingsbury said, “It looks doubtful unless he really, really comes around. Probably not going to be available.”

Cornerback Antonio Hamilton is eligible to return next week after being placed on reserve/non-football injury for burns on his feet and legs from a kitchen accident. Hamilton was conditioning on the side Wednesday and posted a video of himself running on Twitter on Monday.

“He’s moving around good,” Kingsbury said. “Next week may be a little aggressive, but we’re hopeful. I think we gotta get him out there, see what he’s retained, sort of the football stuff, see how he moves around and make sure he’s comfortable. But he looks good in his rehab.”

Kingsbury also said quarterback Colt McCoy (calf) has a good chance of returning next week from reserve/injured: “I think so. He’s come a long way over the last couple weeks. He’s throwing now and looks good as well.”

Safety Deionte Thompson was waived Tuesday and cleared waivers Wednesday, but there was no immediate announcement that he was signed to the practice squad. Thompson was cut after his mistake on special teams led to Andy Lee having his punt blocked following the first possession of the game.

He was replaced on the roster by rookie outside linebacker Jesse Luketa, who was signed from the practice squad. His addition gives the Cardinals 12 linebackers on the roster, seven of whom play on the outside. Another rookie outside linebacker, Myjai Sanders, has yet to be active for a game while rookie Cameron Thomas has played a total of eight defensive snaps in three games.

Kingsbury said, “Luketa’s been impressive all through camp. Works hard, studies hard, goes hard on scout team. He’s a guy that we want on our roster. Hopefully, as the season goes on, we can utilize him more.”

For the Panthers, the most significant entry on the injury report is running back Christian McCaffrey, who did not practice because of a thigh injury. Last week, McCaffrey was added to the report as limited on Thursday with an ankle injury, but practiced fully Friday and then rushed 25 times for 108 yards in the team’s win over New Orleans.

The quote book

Murray, who will play his 50th regular-season game Sunday, on whether it seems like 50 games: “Wow. Fifty games. That’s a lot of games. It doesn’t feel like it honestly. It doesn’t feel like it at all. That’s crazy.”

Don’t hesitate to comment or ask questions via Twitter @hbalzer721 or by emailing me at: howard@gophnx.com