Kyler Murray, who is undefeated at AT&T Stadium isn’t playing in Monday Night Football. It hasn’t mattered for the Cowboys.
Jacoby Brissett is making himself right at home, with a 10-0 lead on the home team.
The Cardinals have scored on their first two possessions, getting a 48-yard field goal from Chad Ryland and a 4-yard touchdown pass from Brissett to Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Cardinals have outgained the Cowboys 104 to 58.
Brissett is 8-of-13 for 82 yards and a touchdown, and Harrison has five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. Emari Demercado has four carries for 26 yards.
The Cowboys turned it over on downs on their first drive in the red zone, and they went three-and-out on their second.
Kyler Murray will not dress for Monday Night Football.
The Cardinals list their starting quarterback among their inactives for the game against the Cowboys.
Coach Jonathan Gannon had already announced that Jacoby Brissett would start but said Murray could have a role. Murray has not played since a Week 5 loss to the Titans when he injured his foot.
The Cardinals listed him as questionable to serve as the backup to Brissett.
Arizona is 1-17 in its last 18 games without Murray starting and finishing the game. Its only win was a 28-16 victory over the Cowboys in 2023 in a game Joshua Dobbs started.
Murray grew up in the Dallas suburb of Allen and is undefeated at AT&T Stadium, with a 9-0 record in games with Allen High School, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and the Cardinals.
The Cardinals’ other inactives are cornerback Elijah Jones, linebacker Xavier Thomas, offensive lineman Demontrey Jacobs, offensive lineman Josh Fryar and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols.
Cornerback Will Johnson (groin) is active.
The Cowboys’ inactives are safety Donovan Wilson (elbow/shoulder), safety Alijah Clark (ribs), offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius (knee/knee), running back Jaydon Blue, defensive tackle Mazi Smith, offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo.
Safety Juanyeh Thomas (migraine) returns tonight.
The Cardinals selected defensive lineman Walter Nolen III with their first pick in April. They will see him on the field for the first time on Monday Night Football.
The team activated Nolen from the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
“He does not look like he is tired or out of shape out there,” defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said, via Darren Urban of the team website. “Also, being able to go out and execute our stuff has been impressive. It’s hard to be out that long and execute mentally from a high level. Even if you are working hard at it, there is something different to being out there.”
Nolan could be on a snap count, considering he has not played a game since last season at Ole Miss. He injured his calf before training camp began.
“I feel I can contribute a lot,” Nolen said. “That’s just how I carry myself. I feel I can do whatever in the world. Whenever I get the chance to get back out there I feel I can contribute a lot.”
The Cardinals also activated cornerback Garrett Williams from injured reserve, where he had been since a Week 2 knee injury. The nickel corner has 11 tackles and a pass defensed in two games.
The team also elevated running back Michael Carter to the active roster for tonight’s game against the Cowboys. He joins Bam Knight and Emari Demercado as options in the backfield.
Carter has 35 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown in four games, adding nine catches for 77 yards.
The Cowboys have made a few roster moves before the club takes on the Cardinals to cap Week 9 on Monday night.
Dallas has activated center Cooper Beebe off of injured reserve. He has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during the team’s Week 2 win over the Giants. He was a full participant during the week’s practices, putting him on track to play.
The Cowboys have also placed linebacker Jack Sanborn on injured reserve as he deals with a groin issue.
Running back Malik Davis has been signed to the 53-man roster from the team’s practice squad as a corresponding move.
Finally, Dallas elevated running back Zion Childress and tight end Princeton Fant for Monday’s game against the Cardinals.
Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison Sr. is a man of few words. He used more than a few words when venting about the current state of his son’s team.
Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft, is a starting receiver in Arizona. Marvin Sr. no longer goes to games, and he’s reluctant to watch the team on TV.
“It’s very hard for me to watch the Cardinals’ offense,” Harrison Sr. told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. “And you can quote me on that.”
Harrison Sr. had plenty more to say. We suggest reading the entire article.
“The style of offense that I am accustomed to, that I’m used to watching as a professional eye, as a wide receiver,” Harrison Sr. said. “I just can’t relate to watching that [current] offense, that style of offense. Basically, I can’t relate to what goes on there.”
He didn’t name names. (Does he really have to?)
“I think that’s just peacefully put, without pointing fingers or anything,” Harrison Sr. said. “It’s just me. I’m giving you the professional eye. I can’t relate to it. It don’t add up to me. I can’t deal with it.”
It’s gotten to the point where he doesn’t even bother to share his opinions with his son.
“I don’t get into what goes on the field and the things that I see,” Harrison Sr. said. “I just leave it alone. I don’t even bother bringing it up no more. . . . It takes a lot of self-restraint and duct tape. I got to close my mouth and just don’t say nothing.”
Harrison Sr. landed in a great spot, drafted by the Colts two years before quarterback Peyton Manning arrived. And Harrison Sr. realizes the connection between having a quarterback like Manning in Indianapolis and earning a bronze bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“What I do know is you can put Marvin Harrison Sr., in my prime, in Arizona right now, and guess what happened?” he said. “Canton, Ohio, is going to send me a prepaid envelope and say, ‘Could you please send that jacket back?’”
It’s a strong indictment of the Cardinals, and of everyone responsible for the team’s current offense . It also invites fair speculation as to whether, absent significant changes, Harrison Jr. will look for a way to a team with a better offense and a potential Hall of Fame quarterback.
If his dad has a vote, he’ll likely say, “Go East, young man.”
