Police Investigating Allegation Fan Slapped Kyler Murray After Cardinals vs. Raiders
Sep 19, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 18: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Las Vegas police are investigating an allegation that a fan struck Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray after the team's 29-23 overtime win over the Las Vegas Raiders, per the Associated Press.
The alleged incident occurred with the team celebrating Byron Murphy Jr.'s walk-off touchdown. Murray began celebrating with fans before reacting to what appeared to be a slap (0:26 in video):
Police spokesman Larry Hadfield confirmed there was a battery complaint made at 6:30 p.m. local time, with an allegation stating "a spectator at the stadium struck a professional football player."
Murray was not specifically named by Hadfield.
An investigation is reportedly ongoing and a suspect has not yet been identified.
The Cardinals were on the road at Allegiant Stadium and overcame a 20-0 halftime deficit to earn their first win of the year. Murray scored a rushing touchdown with no time left in the fourth quarter, eventually forcing overtime with a two-point conversion.
Report: Cardinals RB James Conner's Ankle Injury Not 'Long-Term or Serious'
Sep 19, 2022
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 09: James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts as he is helped off the field after being injured on a play during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner isn't believed to have suffered a serious ankle injury in Sunday's 29-23 overtime win over the Las Vegas Raiders, per the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The ankle injury for #AZCardinals RB James Conner that kept him off the field is not considered long-term or serious, source said. He remained in uniform throughout the game, standing on the sidelines. A positive sign.
Conner is coming off a stellar 2021 season in which he earned the second Pro Bowl selection of his six-year NFL career. He ran for 752 yards and finished second in the league with a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns to go with 375 receiving yards and three more scores. He missed two games last year due to a heel injury.
The Cardinals rewarded Conner with a three-year contract extension this past offseason. The 27-year-old has gotten off to a slower start in 2022, rushing for 51 yards and a touchdown through two games.
Conner's potential absence would be another early blow to Arizona's offense. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
If Conner misses time, fifth-year backup Darrel Williams will assume the starting role for the Cardinals. Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward are the next two running backs available on the depth chart.
Williams has proved himself to be a capable ball-carrier when given the opportunity. He spent the first four years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, and last season he rushed for career-highs of 558 yards and six touchdowns while adding 47 receptions for 452 yards and two more scores.
The Cardinals will hope to get Conner back sooner rather than later—and it appears as though they will—but the team should be in good hands with Williams in the backfield if Conner in fact misses time.
Kyler Murray Shows 'Why You Pay' Him $230.5M in Cardinals' OT Win vs. Raiders
Sep 19, 2022
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
The Arizona Cardinals entered the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders trailing 23-7, but they exited Allegiant Stadium with a 29-23 overtime victory.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray led the team on two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, one of which came with just seconds remaining on the clock. Murray rushed in for a touchdown to make it a 23-21 game and also connected with A.J. Green on a two-point conversion to force OT.
While the Cardinals turned the ball over on downs in overtime, the team's defense came up big when Isaiah Simmons forced a fumble that was recovered by Byron Murphy Jr. for the game-winning score.
Murray finished the game having completed 31 of 49 passes for 277 yards, one touchdown and one interception, in addition to rushing for 28 yards and a score.
After the game, fans on Twitter lauded Murray for his performance and noted that he's more than deserving of the five-year, $230.5 million extension he signed with the Cardinals in July.
Kyler Murray was the only one who could see that window he just threw that ball into to tie the game. Things look different when you are 5’5. WHAT A THROW!
Murray, the 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time Pro Bowler, is one of the best quarterbacks in football. If he continues to make plays like he did Sunday, the Cardinals will be in great standing moving forward.
The Cardinals will enter Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams with a 1-1 record. Every team in the NFC West is 1-1 on the season.
Cardinals Respond to Andy Reid's Claims Loose Turf Caused Chiefs' Injuries
Sep 14, 2022
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 18: General view of the interior of State Farm Stadium from an elevated position during an NFL regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 18, 2018, in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals defended State Farm Stadium after Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the loose turf was a contributing factor to cornerback Trent McDuffie's hamstring injury and kicker Harrison Butker's ankle injury in Sunday's game.
"The entire field was replaced on Monday, August 22nd—the day after the last home preseason game vs. Baltimore—so it had it almost three full weeks before the Week 1 game vs. Kansas City," Cardinals spokesperson Mark Dalton told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. "That's more than enough time for the Tifway Bermuda 419 hybrid sod to take root, especially in 109 degrees and abundant sunshine."
Dalton also pointed to the stadium's track record.
"The field at State Farm Stadium is routinely ranked among the best—if not the best—among NFL players, including in surveys conducted by the NFLPA," he added. "Like all fields, the surface at State Farm Stadium undergoes the NFL's required testing and certification process both before and after games. Sunday it not only met but exceeded those standards."
The response came after Reid told reporters the turf was "a little bit loose" and "part of the Butker injury and McDuffie injury ... The turf picked up, and I would tell you that that did have something to do with it. If it didn't, I would tell you that, too. So it's not an excuse by any means, but I mean, you all can see it. Watch the tape."
Kansas City placed McDuffie on injured reserve, which means he will miss the next four games.
It is a difficult blow because the Chiefs face AFC West rivals in the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders during the next four contests. They also play Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during that stretch, meaning the defense will be tested.
Butker's injury was a story within the game, as Kansas City turned to safety Justin Reid to handle kicking duties after he exited.
Reid made one of the two extra points he attempted during the 44-21 victory.
This season's Super Bowl will be at State Farm Stadium, so any potential turf issues will be magnified as the season progresses. Yet the Cardinals feel it was up to standards for the Week 1 game.
Chiefs' Andy Reid: McDuffie, Butker Injuries Result of Cardinals' 'Loose' Turf
Sep 13, 2022
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs paces the sidelines during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs lost cornerback Trent McDuffie (hamstring) and kicker Harrison Butker (ankle) to injuries during Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals, and head coach Andy Reid pointed to the turf at Arizona's State Farm Stadium as the problem.
"They re-sodded it, which is a good thing because they practice in there," he said, per Adam Teicher of ESPN. "But it was a little bit loose. That's what happens sometimes when you re-sod is it's loose.
"It was part of the Butker injury and McDuffie injury. ... The turf picked up, and I would tell you that that did have something to do with it. If it didn't, I would tell you that, too. So it's not an excuse by any means, but I mean, you all can see it. Watch the tape."
Teicher noted McDuffie will miss at least four games, including Thursday's against the Los Angeles Chargers, after going on injured reserve with the setback.
Butker may also miss the game against the Chargers, and Kansas City responded by signing kicker Matt Ammendola to its practice squad. Ammendola appeared in 11 games for the New York Jets last season and made 13 of his 19 field goals (68.4 percent) and 14 of his 15 extra points (93.3 percent).
The Chiefs had to scramble during Sunday's game after Butker suffered the injury and turned to safety Justin Reid.
Reid kicked off and also made one of the two extra points he attempted.
"This guy does have a lot of talent; it's real," Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub told reporters when discussing Reid's performance. "It's real and he did it. It's unbelievable, but it's impressive, as well."
Still, having a safety handling kicking duties probably isn't the best recipe for long-term success on special teams. Kansas City didn't have to worry too much about it during its Week 1 win over the Cardinals because the game was never in doubt as it built a 37-7 lead through three quarters.
Patrick Mahomes went 30-of-39 passing for 360 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Kyler Murray on Cardinals' Blowout Loss to Chiefs: 'They Kicked Our Ass'
Sep 12, 2022
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals got off to a rough start to the 2022 season after suffering a 44-21 blowout loss at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.
After the game, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray didn't mince words when assessing how the game went.
Murray completed 22 of 34 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns while adding a team-high 29 rushing yards in Sunday's loss before being pulled with 1:47 remaining in the game. He failed to keep up with his counterpart, as Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was nearly pristine with 360 yards and five touchdowns on 30-of-39 passing.
Mahomes was playing his first NFL game against Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who coached him in college at Texas Tech. The student schooled the teacher in this case, as Mahomes opened with passing touchdowns on each of Kansas City's first three drives. The Cardinals defense struggled mightily and gave up nearly 500 yards of total offense, surrendering 128 yards on the ground and being outgained by the Chiefs 488-282.
Murray was playing in his first game since being signed to a $230.5 million, five-year contract this offseason. He was missing a couple of key players on offense, as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the first six games because of a PED violation and wideout Rondale Moore was inactive with a hamstring injury. Arizona was also without star defensive end J.J. Watt, who sat out because of a calf injury.
The Cardinals will try to get back on track next week when they travel to face the Las Vegas Raiders.
Report: Cardinals' Rondale Moore Exits Practice with Hamstring Injury, to Undergo MRI
Sep 8, 2022
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 19: Rondale Moore #4 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a ball during warm-up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 19, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver room took another hit on Thursday.
Second-year receiver Rondale Moore suffered a hamstring injury during Thursday's practice and is set to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury, per Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
The Cardinals are already set to begin the year without DeAndre Hopkins, who will miss the first six games while serving a suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.
If the team is also without Moore, it could be a tough start to the year on offense in Arizona.
Moore had a solid rookie season in 2021, catching 54 passes for 435 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. While he sat behind Hopkins, Christian Kirk and A.J. Green on the roster last year, he was expected to play a larger role in 2022.
If the Purdue product is sidelined for any period of time, the Cardinals will rely more heavily on Green, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, whom they acquired during the 2022 NFL draft from the Baltimore Ravens, and Andy Isabella.
Brown is coming off a breakout 2021 campaign that saw him catch 91 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. He's expected to be Kyler Murray's top target with Hopkins sidelined through Week 6.
The Cardinals open the season on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium before traveling to face the Las Vegas Raiders for Week 2.
Former NFL WR Larry Fitzgerald Joining ESPN's 'Monday Night Countdown'
Sep 7, 2022
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals approaches the line of scrimmage during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on October 19, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Larry Fitzgerald hasn't formally retired from the NFL, but it's safe to assume fans have seen the last of the legendary wide receiver on the field.
The New York Post's Andrew Marchand reported Wednesday that Fitzgerald agreed to join ESPN's Monday Night Countdown program. The former Arizona Cardinals star is expected to appear on five to seven shows this year.
Fitzgerald confirmed the news via social media:
Monday Night Football is a huge reason so many people fall in love with the game…it’s surreal to be a part of that tradition.
The 39-year-old will replace Randy Moss, whom Marchand reported wanted a lighter schedule and preferred to work Sunday NFL Countdown only.
Fitzgerald spent 17 years in the NFL, all with Arizona. Having opted against signing with a team ahead of the 2021 season, he alluded to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss in February about how he was finished as a player but didn't want to classify it as a "retirement."
"I'm 38 years old," he said. "I'm a long way from retirement. Yeah, a long way."
Fitzgerald is second all-time behind Jerry Rice in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492). He was an 11-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade team for the 2010s.
Fans will get to see the former pass-catcher start his new career ahead of the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos' clash on Monday night in Week 1.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 02: Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals defends against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals and free safety Jalen Thompson agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract extension with $24.5 million guaranteed, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Thompson, a fifth-round selection in the 2019 supplemental draft, is now tied to the Cardinals through 2025. Arizona confirmed that it signed Thompson to a contract extension but did not disclose terms.
The former Washington State star amassed 121 tackles and three interceptions last season.
Thompson played 17 games with 12 starts and recorded seven pass breakups.
The deal looks like a great value for the Cardinals, and Kevin Zimmerman of 98.7 Arizona Sports provided his take.
The Jalen Thompson deal at $40 million over three years is the Mikal Bridges deal of the Cards.
Lock up the dudes you can count on before they get more expensive.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated called Thompson "versatile" and "tough" and possibly as good as Budda Baker, a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro.
Thompson and the Cardinals are looking to improve upon an 11-6 season that ended with an NFC Wild Card Round appearance. They will open the 2022 campaign at home against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 11.
Cardinals' Antonio Hamilton Reveals He Suffered 2nd-Degree Burns in 'Freak Accident'
Sep 1, 2022
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 02: Antonio Hamilton #33 of the Arizona Cardinals defends against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals starting cornerback Antonio Hamilton will miss the start of the 2022 season after announcing on Twitter that he suffered second-degree burns on his legs and feet in a "freak accident" last Monday.
Hamilton didn't explain the exact events that led to his injury but noted it "could've ended up deadly."
The Cardinals placed Hamilton on the reserve/non-football injury list on Thursday, meaning he will miss the first four games of the season before being eligible to return. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that the accident occurred while Hamilton was cooking in his home and spilled oil.
Hamilton said on Twitter that he had the "greatest" training camp of his seven-year career. That sentiment was echoed by Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
"It's disappointing for him," Kingsbury told reporters. "He had earned a starting role."
Hamilton is entering his second season in Arizona. He appeared in all 17 games for the Cardinals in 2021 with two starts. The 29-year-old began his NFL career in 2016 with the Raiders, who were based in Oakland at the time. After two years in the Bay Area, he played two seasons with the New York Giants and spent 2020 with the Kansas City Chiefs.
In 74 career games, Hamilton has registered 88 total tackles and nine passes defended.
While Hamilton is sidelined, the starting cornerback role will likely either go to Marco Wilson or Trayvon Mullen Jr., the latter of whom was acquired in a trade with the Raiders earlier this week.
