TEMPE, Ariz. — Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will get his fourth straight start for the Cardinals on Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks, Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon said Tuesday.
The decision means Kyler Murray will remain on the sideline as he continues his recovery from a foot injury that has kept him out since Oct. 5.
Gannon initially said after Arizona’s 27-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night that “nothing’s changed” in terms of his starting quarterback, meaning Brissett would back up Murray once he is fully healed.
But Gannon said Tuesday he likes how well the offense is operating under Brissett’s guidance.
“So, in my mind, I take all the variables that I have to make a decision and make the decision when I need to, and I think we’re doing a pretty good job on offense,” Gannon said. “I like what the offense is doing right now.”
Gannon said his decision to name a starter six days before the Seahawks game was because of the “clarity that it provides game-planning for our team.”
“I think that’s important,” the coach said.
He added the decision not to start Murray is still related to the foot injury that has prevented him from playing the past three games. Gannon said he still doesn’t know if Murray will be placed on injured reserve because of it.
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Murray and the team have consulted with multiple foot doctors about the injury and have been told a possible timetable for his recovery could be anywhere from four to eight weeks because of an increased likelihood of a setback unless it heals properly.
An eight-week timetable would take Murray through the Cardinals’ Week 13 contest at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 30.
Gannon said Tuesday that injuries “never” go how you think they will.
“He’s doing well. He wants to be out there,” Gannon said of Murray. “He’s a competitor. I talked to him today, but he’s a good teammate and he’s working to get healthy.”
The stats seem to back Gannon’s assertion that the Cardinals’ offense is playing better behind Brissett:
• In his three starts, Brissett is averaging 286 passing yards per game and 7.7 yards per attempt, and he has thrown for six touchdowns with one interception. In his five starts, Murray is averaging 170 passing yards and 6.0 yards per attempt, and he has thrown for six touchdowns with three interceptions. Each has run for one touchdown, despite Murray rushing 14 more times for 122 more yards.
• Arizona’s offense is averaging 25.7 offensive points and 357 yards per game under Brissett as compared with 18.8 points and 288.4 yards under Murray.
• Arizona also is converting 56% of third downs in Brissett starts and 40% in Murray starts.
• Brissett has thrown for 44 first downs in two fewer games than Murray’s 50 first downs.
Brissett, however, said Monday night that the reason the offense is playing well is because “all 11 are doing a good job.”
“We’re doing the things that are needed to move the ball, stay on the field and score points,” Gannon said. “And that’s been good to see because we’ve put up some numbers here now that you would say that you should have a chance to win the game when you put up over what the points we’ve been putting up.
“So, with saying that, this week’s going to be a new challenge. In my opinion, the tape that I’ve watched so far, this is the best defense that we have faced, so it’ll be a big time challenge, especially at their place.”
