Kyler Murray suffers knee injury as Arizona Cardinals lose 27-13 to New England Patriots on Monday night
Murray was carted off the field after suffering the injury on just the third play from scrimmage, falling awkwardly on a non-contact play when scrambling for a three-yard run; watch Thursday Night Football - 49ers @ Seahawks - live on Sky Sports NFL, 1.15am, Friday
Tuesday 13 December 2022 20:12, UK
The Arizona Cardinals lost their star quarterback Kyler Murray to a potentially serious knee injury as they suffered a 27-13 defeat at home to the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.
Story of the game
Murray was carted off the field after suffering the injury on just the third play from scrimmage, falling awkwardly on a non-contact play when scrambling for a three-yard run.
Murray was replaced by veteran backup Colt McCoy, who completed 27 of 40 passes for 246 yards and an interception in the defeat that drops Arizona to 4-9 on the season and all but out of playoff contention in the NFC.
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Patriots quarterback Mac Jones went 24 of 35, passing for 235 yards, also with one interception, as New England (7-6) got back to winning ways following back-to-back defeats, nudging themselves above the Los Angeles Chargers and into the seventh and final spot in the AFC seedings with four games to go.
The Patriots had trailed 13-10 at half-time, but tied the game at 13 apiece early in the third quarter after a 23-yard Nick Folk field goal, before linebacker Raekwon McMillan produced the game-changing play.
Kyle Dugger forced a fumble of Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins, with McMillan scooping up the loose football and returning it 23 yards for his first career touchdown and a 20-13 Patriots lead.
New England stretched their advantage to 27-13, scoring off the back of McCoy's interception early in the fourth quarter, with running back Pierre Strong Jr. applying the finishing touches from three yards out. The visitors then leaned on their defense to complete the much-needed win.
Earlier, after a scoreless first quarter, the Cardinals capitalised off Jones' interception to start the second with a 33-yard field goal by Matt Prater - who had missed from 50 yards to open the game.
The Pats responded with an impressive 14-yard touchdown run from Kevin Harris, as he and fellow rookie Strong each found the end zone in the contest.
James Conner bulldozed his way forward for a 10-yard touchdown later in the second quarter to see Arizona again ahead, 13-7, before the first half ended with a Folk field goal from 51 yards.
Stats leaders
Patriots
- Passing: Mac Jones, 24/35, 235 yards, 1 INT
- Rushing: Pierre Strong Jr., five carries, 70 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Hunter Henry, three catches, 70 yards
Cardinals
- Passing: Colt McCoy, 27/40, 246 yards, 1 INT
- Rushing: James Conner, 15 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: DeAndre Hopkins, seven catches, 79 yards
Kingsbury: I've never seen Murray in that kind of shape
Cardinals head coach, Kliff Kingsbury: "I've never seen him [Murray] in that kind of shape, so it doesn't look good... we'll know more in the morning.
"It's tough, there's no doubt. You see teams go through it every week, but you lose your star [on the] third play of the game, non-contact, it's tough to watch. You've just got to be able to rebound and continue to play the game."
Cardinals wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins: "It hurts. Kyler put a lot into this.
"He's been preparing his butt off to get back after the hamstring [injury that kept him out of weeks 10 and 11], so for that to happen, I hate that for him. I know he'll recover and get back to himself."
What's next?
Week 15 in the NFL kicks off with Thursday Night Football and a huge NFC West rivalry clash as the Seattle Seahawks (7-6) host the San Francisco 49ers (9-4) in a key matchup that may determine the winner of the division. Watch it live on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event from 1.15am in the early hours of Friday morning.
As for the Patriots, they next visit the Las Vegas Raiders (5-8), while the Cardinals travel to the Denver Broncos (3-10), with both games kicking off at 9.05pm on Sunday.
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