Jacoby Brissett Poised to Start for Arizona Cardinals vs. Colts: What to Expect
With Arizona Cardinals’ franchise quarterback Kyler Murray listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, reports are strongly indicating that Jacoby Brissett will get the nod under center. (Reuters)
Here’s a breakdown of the scenario, risks, and what Brissett brings to the table.
The Circumstances: Why Brissett Might Start
- Kyler Murray injury: Murray is dealing with a foot injury sustained last week (likely a mid-foot sprain) and has missed multiple practices. (NFL.com)
- Limited practice participation: He returned to practice in a limited capacity Friday, but the Cardinals are preparing as if he won’t be ready to go. (NFL.com)
- Depth chart movement: The team has elevated Kedon Slovis from the practice squad as additional quarterback depth, signaling that they are bracing for the possibility Murray is out. (Reuters)
- Organizational lean: Multiple outlets report that Brissett “is expected” to start if Murray is unavailable, though Arizona has left open the possibility of a late decision. (ESPN.com)
Given that Murray’s health is in question, Brissett looks likely to be the Week 6 starter. (Reuters)
Brissett vs. His Former Team: A Familiar Challenge
Perhaps the most compelling narrative here is that Brissett will be facing the Colts — the team he played for from 2017 to 2020. (SI) That familiarity is a double-edged sword:
- Pros: He knows some of the personnel, schemes, tendencies, and coaching styles from his time in Indianapolis. That could help in anticipating defensive looks or exploiting matchups.
- Cons: The Colts have evolved since his tenure there, and defensive coordinators will likely scheme specifically to take away his strengths.
It’s an emotionally interesting matchup: a veteran quarterback returning to a former home, but now wearing new colors.
What Brissett Brings to the Table
Experience & Poise
Brissett has a long NFL résumé, with 53 career starts under his belt. (Wikipedia) His ability to manage games, avoid turnovers, and stay composed under pressure gives Arizona a safer fallback in this injury scenario.
Conservative, Game-Manager Style
He is not a high-flying, scrambler quarterback like Murray, but he is steady. His strength is generally in making safe reads, limiting mistakes, and keeping drives alive. That tends to shift a game plan more toward controlled progression and shorter passes.
Adjusting the Offensive Plan
With Brissett likely under center, expect Arizona’s play-calling to lean more on:
- Quick passes, slants, outs, and high-percentage throws
- More check-down options to running backs and tight ends
- A higher reliance on the running game (if backs are healthy) to take pressure off Brissett’s arm
- Fewer high-risk vertical shots, especially early in games
The offensive coordinator will probably dial back some of the more aggressive shots to match Brissett’s strengths and mitigate risk.
Challenges Brissett Faces This Week
- Matching Murray’s explosiveness: Kyler Murray gives Arizona a dual-threat threat — passing and running. Brissett can’t replicate that, so the Cardinals may need to adjust expectations and game flow.
- Clash with a stingy Colts defense: Indianapolis ranks among the better units in terms of limiting points and stopping offenses. (ClutchPoints)
- Rust / lack of reps: Brissett hasn’t been the primary option recently. Getting in sync with the Cardinals’ receivers, protection schemes, and tempo will be key.
- Pressure situations: Late-game two-minute drills, 3rd-and-long, and other high-leverage moments will test whether Brissett can perform in crunch time.
What’s at Stake
- For Arizona: Getting a win with Brissett would preserve momentum and keep them in contention, especially in a tightly contested season. But a loss would raise more questions about quarterback depth and sustainability.
- For Brissett: A strong performance against one of his former teams could strengthen his standing in the locker room and possibly earn more trust or starts down the stretch.
- For Murray: If Murray can’t go, it may further complicate Arizona’s QB outlook, health management, and long-term planning.
In short, while Kyler Murray’s return is still technically possible, all signs point to Jacoby Brissett starting for the Cardinals this Sunday vs. the Colts. It’s a matchup loaded with narrative (returning to Indy), fraught with challenges, but one that highlights Brissett’s steadiness and experience in a moment of team adversity.
If you like, I can also break down how this start could affect betting lines, fantasy outlooks, or specific matchups (e.g. WRs, pass rush). Do you want me to do that?
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