It's not often fifth-round picks get a chance to start at quarterback Week 1, but with Kyler Murray still recovering from December ACL surgery, that is exactly what Tune could do. The Cardinals announced Aug. 28 that Murray will open the season on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least four games. In his stead, Tune will only have to beat out journeyman backup Joshua Dobbs after the Cardinals released veteran Colt McCoy. This is a rebuilding Cardinals team that may prefer to see the kid play. Tune lit up the scoreboard at the University of Houston, accounting for more than 13,000 yards of total offense and 119 total touchdowns in five seasons. If he beats out Dobbs, Tune could be a waiver wire add in two-QB or Superflex leagues. In rookie drafts, he shouldn't be considered before Round 4, even in Superflex.
Cardinals' Clayton Tune: Moving back to backup role
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Tune will return to a backup role after Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Friday that Kyler Murray (knee) will start Sunday's game against the Falcons, Donnie Druin of SI.com reports.
Gannon had already hinted Monday that Murray was tracking toward the Week 10 start, but the Cardinals didn't make Murray's return to the lineup official until they had a chance to evaluate him in practices this week. With his surgically-repaired knee evidently checking out fine, Murray should remain atop the depth chart the rest of the way, even while the 1-8 Cardinals play out the string on a losing season. After Arizona traded Joshua Dobbs to Minnesota on Oct. 31, Tune stepped in to make his first NFL start Week 9 but struggled mightily in a 27-0 loss to the Browns, completing 11 of 20 passes for 58 yards and two interceptions while adding 28 yards on the ground and also losing a fumble.
Tune completed 11 of 20 passes for 58 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in the Cardinals' 27-0 loss to the Browns on Sunday. He also rushed five times for 28 yards and lost a fumble.
The results were about what was to be expected when throwing a rookie quarterback out for his first start against an aggressive Browns defense, with Tune often looking out of sorts while taking a whopping seven sacks. The 2023 fifth-round pick averaged just 2.9 yards per attempt and saw his first pick lead to a Cleveland touchdown and his second result in a field-goal attempt that was missed. Tune's stint under center is likely to be a one-and-done scenario unless the Cardinals opt to let Kyler Murray's (knee) 21-day practice window close this upcoming week without activating him.
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Cardinals' Clayton Tune: May start in Week 9
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Coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that Tune or Kyler Murray (knee) will be the Cardinals' starting quarterback Sunday at Cleveland, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Following Sunday's 31-24 loss the Ravens, Gannon noted to Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com that Joshua Dobbs would be the team's starter again Week 9, but a video session of that contest has caused him to change his tune, per Urban. Tune is a rookie fifth-round pick and has made just one cameo this season -- Week 7 at Seattle -- in which he completed his only pass for four yards, but he was fairly prolific his final two campaigns at Houston, throwing for 7,610 yards and 70 touchdowns in 27 games. His chances to be Arizona's starting signal-caller Sunday are contingent on Murray gaining clearance to play following last season's torn ACL, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that Tune likely will get the nod.
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Cardinals' Clayton Tune: Expected to open as No. 2 QB
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Tune is in line to be the Cardinals' No. 2 quarterback during Sunday's season opener in Washington, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
If Rapoport's report is accurate, newcomer Joshua Dobbs will get the first opportunity to lead Arizona's offense for the recovering Kyler Murray, who is continuing his recovery from a torn ACL on the reserve/PUP list as the season gets underway. Dobbs joined the team on Aug. 24 via trade with the Browns, and despite the lack of time to acclimate to the Cardinals offense, he seems as if he'll be operating ahead of Tune, a rookie fifth-round pick. With Murray out for at least the first four games, though, Tune could make his pro debut at some point if Dobbs struggles or needs to miss time for any reason.
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Cardinals' Clayton Tune: Opportunity knocks
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Tune and Joshua Dobbs are Arizona's top options to start Week 1 versus the Commanders following the team's release of Colt McCoy, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Tune, a rookie fifth-round pick, may be likelier to open the season as Dobbs' backup, though he has benefited from extensive preseason reps. McCoy's release coincides with the news that Kyler Murray (knee) is expected to begin the regular season on the reserve/PUP list, meaning the Cardinals will need either Dobbs or Tune, if not a combination of the two, to hold down the fort under center for at least the first four weeks of the year. The team also has David Blough and Jeff Driskel (calf) on the roster, although further cuts could be forthcoming.
