Kyler Murray Forced To Sit Out For Cardinals Due To Minor Setback

KEY POINTS

Kyler Murray is forced to isolate after testing positive for COVID-19
The Cardinals' training camp continues with Murray's backups calling the plays
Murray recently agreed to a new deal with the Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals will have to proceed with training camp this week without Kyler Murray.

In an update provided by Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, the 24-year-old player reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, July 31.

"He felt really poor with cold symptoms," Kingsbury said. "The protocol is five days minimum, but if you feel better you can test out before that."

Murray sat out practice on Saturday, July 30, to rest his arm and was originally scheduled to return on Monday, August 1.

All these plans were nixed with the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year forced to isolate for at least five days.

The NFL no longer has COVID-19 protocols, but the requirement was in accordance with CDC guidelines.

This update also comes days after an unusual clause in Murray’s contract.

This is about the independent study clause, which Murray deemed “disrespectful.”

The independent study clause in Murray’s contract extension mandated the number of hours he had to spend preparing for each week’s game on his own.

For Murray, it appeared to suggest that he was not working hard enough.

Not long after, the Cardinals announced that they were removing the clause late last week.

"After seeing the distraction it created, we removed the addendum from the contract," the Cardinals said in a statement. "It was clearly perceived in ways that were never intended. Our confidence in Kyler Murray is as high as it's ever been and nothing demonstrates our belief in his ability to lead this team more than the commitment reflected in this contract."

Being forced to isolate for five days means that Murray will have to wait. However, he will still have ample time to catch up on film work in the next few days.

It has been an interesting week for the top pick of the 2019 NFL Draft who recently agreed to a massive five-year deal worth $230.5 million.

In the meantime, backup quarterbacks Colt McCoy and Trace McSorely will fill in the play-calling chores until Murray is cleared to return.