Arizona Cardinals: 3 Players to watch vs. Vikings in Preseason Week 3
By Steve Rivera
2. Byron Murphy, CB
In what will be the absence of cornerback Patrick Peterson come the regular season, rookie cornerback Byron Murphy has a chance to continue what is shaping up to be a preseason of auditioning for the rookie from Washington.
Murphy, who is 5-11, 190 pounds, looks to be a prime candidate to fill the role Peterson will leave vacant for six weeks. Peterson violated the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy and will miss valuable time for a Cardinals defense that hasn’t impressed this preseason.
It’s a big opportunity for the former Husky. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury is well aware that the rookie may have to fill an immediate need, whether he is ready or not. Against the Vikings, Murphy will have another opportunity to make his arguments for starting on Opening Day against the Detroit Lions.
Murphy, who the Cardinals organization had rated as the top cornerback in the draft, has shown a lot of confidence and is ready for wherever Arizona may use him, saying the following to ArizonaSports.com:
"“Obviously when I switch positions from inside to outside just making sure I’m always going 100% just preparing myself [for] wherever position I’m going to play to just be ready and be prepared.”"
Peterson leaves a big hole, but Murphy has a great chance in Week 3 to prove he belongs somewhere in the Cardinals defensive rotation in 2019.