Kyler Murray Injury: Timeline, Recovery and NFL Return
Kyler Murray is currently healthy after recovering from the significant right foot injury that ended his 2025 NFL season. The quarterback previously overcame a torn ACL suffered in 2022 and has since returned to competitive football. His injury history has become an important talking point because his mobility is one of the biggest strengths of his game.
For many NFL fans, fantasy football managers and Arizona Cardinals followers, the phrase Kyler Murray injury has become one of the most searched quarterback-related topics over the past few seasons. Murray has experienced several notable injuries during his professional career, including ankle problems, hamstring issues, a devastating ACL tear and, most recently, a serious mid-foot injury that sidelined him for most of the 2025 campaign.
Despite these setbacks, Murray has repeatedly demonstrated resilience through lengthy rehabilitation programmes and has continued to rebuild his game. Understanding his injury timeline helps explain both his performance and his long-term outlook.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Kyler Cole Murray |
| Position | Quarterback |
| NFL Debut | 2019 |
| Draft | No. 1 overall pick, 2019 |
| Major 2022 Injury | Torn ACL in right knee |
| Major 2025 Injury | Right mid-foot sprain, similar to a Lisfranc-type injury |
| Current Status | Healthy and medically cleared (2026) |
| Playing Style | Dual-threat quarterback |
| Biggest Strength | Mobility and improvisation |
| Main Concern | Durability following multiple lower-body injuries |
Kyler Murray Injury: Latest Update
Kyler Murray entered 2026 having recovered from the right foot injury that prematurely ended his 2025 season. The injury occurred during Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans and initially appeared to be a severe mid-foot sprain. Medical evaluations later suggested damage resembling a Lisfranc-type ligament injury, an issue known for lengthy recovery periods because it affects stability while running and changing direction.
After several weeks of rehabilitation, the Cardinals placed Murray on Injured Reserve. Continued examinations later confirmed that healing was progressing more slowly than expected, ultimately ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Since completing rehabilitation, Murray has returned to full football activities. Reports from the 2026 offseason indicate that he has regained his mobility and is participating without significant restrictions.
What Happened During the 2025 Foot Injury?
The injury occurred during a regular-season game when Murray planted his right foot while attempting to avoid pressure. Although he initially tried to continue, discomfort quickly increased.
Doctors diagnosed a severe mid-foot sprain affecting important stabilising ligaments. While it was not considered a complete Lisfranc fracture-dislocation, the injury shared many similarities in both symptoms and rehabilitation requirements.
Typical symptoms included:
- Pain while planting the foot
- Difficulty accelerating
- Reduced cutting ability
- Swelling through the middle of the foot
- Instability during football movements
For a quarterback whose game depends heavily on escaping defenders and extending plays outside the pocket, these limitations significantly affected his ability to compete.
Rather than rushing back, the organisation chose a conservative rehabilitation plan designed to protect Murray’s long-term career.
Kyler Murray’s Complete Injury History
Although the 2025 foot injury attracted considerable attention, it was not the first physical setback of Murray’s NFL career.
2019 Hamstring Injury
During his rookie campaign, Murray dealt with a minor hamstring problem. The injury was relatively short-lived and did not significantly affect his long-term development. He returned quickly and continued establishing himself as one of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks.
2020 Shoulder Injury
Late in the 2020 season, Murray suffered an AC joint injury in his throwing shoulder.
Although he remained available for several games, observers noticed a decline in passing velocity and overall effectiveness. His mobility also appeared more limited as Arizona attempted to manage the injury throughout the remainder of the season.
2021 Ankle Injury
In 2021, Murray sustained an ankle sprain that forced him to miss multiple games.
The injury interrupted what had been one of the strongest stretches of his career. Upon returning, he gradually regained confidence as both a passer and runner, helping Arizona reach the playoffs.
2022 Torn ACL
The most significant injury of Murray’s career occurred in December 2022.
During a non-contact play against the New England Patriots, Murray collapsed after planting his right leg while scrambling.
Medical imaging confirmed a torn ACL in his right knee.
The injury immediately ended his season and required reconstructive surgery followed by months of intensive rehabilitation.
His recovery became one of the NFL’s most closely followed rehabilitation stories because his athleticism has always been central to his playing style.
Recovery from the 2022 ACL Injury

Recovering from a torn ACL is a lengthy process for any athlete, but it can be especially challenging for a dual-threat quarterback like Kyler Murray. His ability to accelerate, change direction and escape pressure is a major part of his game, meaning the rehabilitation process had to focus on both knee stability and restoring confidence in movement.
Following reconstructive surgery, Murray progressed through several stages of rehabilitation, including:
- Reducing pain and swelling.
- Restoring full range of motion.
- Strengthening the muscles around the knee.
- Regaining balance and agility.
- Returning to football-specific drills.
- Receiving medical clearance for full-contact practice.
Rather than rushing back, the Cardinals took a cautious approach. Murray missed the beginning of the 2023 season before making his return later in the year.
Although he initially appeared less explosive than before the injury, his confidence improved with each game. By the end of the season, many of the quick movements and improvisational plays that had defined his career were beginning to reappear.
How the 2025 Foot Injury Affected His Game
The right foot injury in 2025 created a different challenge from the ACL tear.
While knee injuries often affect long-term mobility, a mid-foot injury directly impacts every step a player takes. Running, planting, pivoting and even standing comfortably in the pocket can become difficult.
For Murray, the injury affected several key areas:
- Escaping pass rushers
- Throwing while moving
- Sprinting on designed quarterback runs
- Extending broken plays
- Maintaining balance during sharp cuts
These abilities are central to Murray’s success. Unlike traditional pocket passers, he frequently relies on quick bursts of speed and sudden direction changes to create opportunities.
Medical experts generally recommend patience with Lisfranc-type injuries because returning too early can increase the risk of setbacks or chronic instability. Arizona ultimately decided that protecting Murray’s long-term health was more important than attempting a late-season return.
Why Lower Body Injuries Matter for Mobile Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks who rely on mobility place significant demands on their knees, ankles and feet.
Players such as Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Kyler Murray all use their legs to extend plays and gain first downs. While this style creates exciting highlights, it also exposes them to additional contact and awkward movements.
For Murray, lower-body injuries can influence:
- Running speed
- Acceleration
- Throwing mechanics
- Pocket movement
- Confidence under pressure
Even a fully healed injury may require time before an athlete feels completely comfortable performing at maximum intensity.
This explains why teams often manage workloads carefully during training camp and the early weeks of a season after a significant injury.
Timeline of Kyler Murray’s Major Injuries
| Year | Injury | Impact |
| 2019 | Hamstring strain | Minor setback |
| 2020 | Shoulder (AC joint) | Played through discomfort |
| 2021 | Ankle sprain | Missed multiple games |
| 2022 | Torn ACL (right knee) | Season-ending surgery |
| 2025 | Right mid-foot sprain | Missed most of the season |
| 2026 | Healthy | Cleared for football activities |
This timeline illustrates that Murray has dealt with several notable injuries, particularly involving his lower body. Even so, he has consistently worked his way back through rehabilitation and returned to competitive football.
Has Kyler Murray Fully Recovered?
As of the 2026 season, Murray is considered healthy and medically cleared.
Reports from training sessions indicate that he has resumed full football activities without major restrictions. Coaches have noted improvements in his movement, while observers have commented that his trademark agility appears to have returned.
That said, teams will continue to monitor him carefully. Players returning from significant foot injuries often have their practice workload adjusted to reduce unnecessary strain during the season.
For Murray, maintaining good health over a full campaign will likely be one of the biggest factors in determining his long-term success.
How Injuries Have Influenced His Career
When healthy, Kyler Murray has consistently demonstrated why he was selected first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. His combination of arm talent, speed and creativity allows him to produce plays that few quarterbacks can replicate.
However, repeated injuries have interrupted his development at key moments.
Some of the long-term effects include:
- Reduced continuity with coaches and teammates.
- Missed opportunities to build momentum across multiple seasons.
- Increased scrutiny regarding durability.
- Adjustments to offensive game plans.
- Greater emphasis on protecting the quarterback.
Despite these challenges, Murray remains one of the league’s most gifted athletes. His ability to recover from major injuries and return to starting-calibre football speaks to both his determination and the quality of his rehabilitation.
What Fans Should Watch Going Forward
Looking ahead, several factors will determine how successful Murray can be over the coming seasons.
Key areas to monitor include:
- Whether he completes a full season without missing games.
- His rushing production compared with earlier years.
- Confidence when escaping pressure.
- Overall mobility inside and outside the pocket.
- Protection provided by the offensive line.
- Coaching decisions regarding designed quarterback runs.
If Murray stays healthy, he has the potential to re-establish himself among the NFL’s top dual-threat quarterbacks.
His experience recovering from both an ACL tear and a significant foot injury may also encourage a more balanced style of play, combining mobility with quicker decision-making from the pocket.
Conclusion
The Kyler Murray injury story has become one of resilience rather than simply one of setbacks. Since entering the NFL in 2019, Murray has dealt with several injuries, including hamstring, shoulder and ankle issues, a season-ending ACL tear in 2022, and a significant right mid-foot injury in 2025. Each injury presented a unique challenge, particularly because his mobility is central to his success as a dual-threat quarterback.
Encouragingly, Murray has recovered from each major setback through structured rehabilitation and careful medical management. Heading into the 2026 season, he is regarded as healthy and ready to compete. While questions about long-term durability will remain until he completes a full season, his talent, athleticism and experience suggest he can continue to be one of the NFL’s most exciting quarterbacks when fit.
Fans, fantasy football managers and analysts will continue to monitor his health closely, but there is every reason to believe Murray has the opportunity to write another successful chapter in his career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kyler Murray’s latest injury?
Kyler Murray’s most recent major injury was a severe right mid-foot sprain suffered during the 2025 NFL season. The injury resembled a Lisfranc-type ligament injury and ended his season.
Is Kyler Murray healthy in 2026?
Yes. Entering the 2026 season, Murray has been reported as healthy and medically cleared to participate in football activities.
Did Kyler Murray tear his ACL?
Yes. Murray tore the ACL in his right knee during a game against the New England Patriots in December 2022, requiring reconstructive surgery.
How long was Kyler Murray out with his ACL injury?
He missed the remainder of the 2022 season and the opening portion of the 2023 season while completing rehabilitation.
What foot injury did Kyler Murray suffer?
He sustained a severe right mid-foot sprain in 2025, commonly described as similar to a Lisfranc-type injury because of the affected ligaments.
How many major injuries has Kyler Murray had?
During his NFL career, Murray has experienced several notable injuries, including hamstring, shoulder, ankle, ACL and foot injuries.
Will injuries affect Kyler Murray’s playing style?
His experience may lead to a more balanced approach, but his mobility and ability to extend plays remain key strengths when healthy.
Why are foot injuries serious for quarterbacks?
Foot injuries can affect balance, throwing mechanics, acceleration and the ability to change direction, all of which are essential for quarterback performance.
Is Kyler Murray still one of the NFL’s best mobile quarterbacks?
When healthy, Murray remains one of the league’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks because of his speed, agility and playmaking ability.
Where can I find official Kyler Murray injury updates?
The most reliable updates come from the Arizona Cardinals (or his current team if applicable), the NFL, official injury reports and recognised sports news organisations such as ESPN and NFL.com.
Updated Report: August 2026
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