Perhaps the biggest question for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 is when the return of quarterback Kyler Murray will happen.
After suffering a torn ACL in December, he is expected to miss at least some of the 2023 season. Some believe it could be midseason or later and some suggest he could be held out of the entire season.
He has other plans.
He has his eyes set on the beginning of the season.
“Ideally, I want to be back by Week 1,” Murray said in pre-released audio of the episode, via Arizona Sports. “That’s the goal. At the end of the day, that’s the goal, but I can’t really look that far ahead. Got to take it one day at a time.”
A Week 1 return would be amazing. He had surgery in January. The Cardinals open the season on September 10, which would be roughly eight months after surgery.
He is pushing himself to return as soon as possible, although the team wants to temper expectations.
He is now doing straight-line running, a step that comes before changing directions.
He might want to return in Week 1, but even the fastest recoveries in the NFL have been around nine months.
It reflects his desire to play and compete, which is what you want to see from a team’s starting quarterback.
He will likely start training camp on PUP (physically unable to perform list). If he can come off the list during camp, it will point to a return in roughly the first six weeks of the season.
An offer for Cardinals fans
For the best local Phoenix news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to azcentral.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
More Arizona Cardinals!
Where the NFC West teams stand in pre-training camp power rankings
Ranking the NFC West’s WR trios entering 2023
PODCAST: What has happened with the Seahawks this offseason?
Story originally appeared on Cards Wire