GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals opened 2023 NFL training camp Thursday at State Farm Stadium. Here’s a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question: When will quarterback Kyler Murray be ready to play?
Every time Murray steps on the grass, throws a casual pass, talks or sneezes, the anticipation will grow that he’s one step and one day closer to returning from an ACL tear to his right knee he suffered in December. In reality, Murray may not be ready until sometime during the season. But the questions will persist and Murray is likely to start doing some on-field work at some point during camp, which will increase the chatter more.
ACL injuries tend to take nine months to a year to recover from, and the return becomes more complex for players -- especially quarterbacks -- whose legs are a significant part of their game. There are various layers to him being comfortable to return to play, all of which will be worked through during camp.
The most compelling position battle: Outside linebacker
The OLB room got a little more crowded this offseason when Zaven Collins joined it. The 2021 first-round pick started his career at inside linebacker but will be making the switch to outside in new defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ scheme. That leaves quite a few players competing for, essentially, two jobs.
Collins will go up against the likes of Cameron Thomas, Myjai Sanders, Victor Dimukeje and Dennis Gardeck for playing time. After a season in which the position struggled to produce and an offseason that saw some considerable turnover in Arizona’s pass rush after the Cardinals lost J.J. Watt to retirement, and Zach Allen and Markus Golden to free agency, the battle for the two starting outside linebacker jobs may be the most important on the team.
Training camp will be a success if … the Cardinals’ starting offensive line can start jelling before Week 1
New coach Jonathan Gannon said throughout the offseason he won’t name the starting five offensive linemen until the first day of Week 1, instead of spending training camp working the same five linemen together. His argument is that by rotating the line, players will get more experience and exposure playing different positions, but Gannon has said he’s not worried as much about continuity.
However, the counter argument is that if all five starters began working together on the first day of camp, by time Week 1 comes around, they’ll likely know each other’s tendencies fairly intimately. That’s the risk the Cardinals are going to run if they don’t name a starting five until Commanders week.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: Marquise Brown vs. Rondale Moore at WR
Brown is expected to take over the WR1 role that DeAndre Hopkins vacated when he was released this offseason. But Brown’s and Moore’s skill sets are somewhat similar, leading to questions over how new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will use them.
Will Brown (67 catches for 709 yards in 2022) and Moore (41 catches, 414 yards) take away yards and touchdowns from the other in the passing game? Likely. Moore was used more as a horizontal receiver last season and the expectation is that he’ll be more of a vertical threat this year. Having one on each side of the field should be a boon for whoever the quarterback is, but the two receivers will be competing against each other for touches (and fantasy points).