Maybe Kyler Murray isn’t returning to the starting lineup in Week 9.

National reports from Adam Schefter have said that Murray was expected to start after the bye week against the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Jonathan Gannon answered affirmatively when asked if he is preparing Murray to start.

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However, based on what has been seen in the open portion of practice on Thursday and Friday, maybe that isn’t the case.

In the part of practice reporters can see and report on, both Murray and Jacoby Brissett were getting practice reps, but Brissett was mainly working with the starting receivers, while Murray was throwing to the backups like Simi Fehoko and Xavier Weaver.

Kyler Murray’s status up in the air

Murray has been listed as a limited participant in both of the Cardinals‘ practices.

What does Brissett getting reps with the starter mean?

Possibility 1: Murray isn’t healthy enough to start

It might simply be that Murray’s foot is not quite 100%, so Brissett is getting most of the reps with the starters. Gannon has said that when Murray is healthy enough to play, he will play.

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It is possible that the plan was for him to start, but he could have had a setback (even though that is a dirty word for Gannon and the Cardinals).

Possibility 2: The Cardinals are playing games

It is completely plausible that the Cardinals are letting the reps open to the media be with Brissett, with Murray then getting more work with the starters once practice is closed.

Possibility 3: Murray has been benched

There is a scenario in which the coaches simply like how Brissett has played and are deciding to go with him.

We can expect that the final injury report will have Murray as questionable to play and we will have to wait for some report on Monday about who will start.

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Until then, we get to have fun and speculate.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Kyler Murray injury: Cardinals QB status more uncertain than believed