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Steve Keim: J.J. Watt Still Leading, Kyler Murray Still An Unknown

GM likes progress Hopkins has made with hamstring injury

Nov 19, 2021 at 03:46 PM

azcardinals.com

After J.J. Watt got injured, he and Steve Keim had a "great" conversation about Watt's role while on injured reserve.

"That 'you can't be on the field however many weeks it is, but you can still have the same influence on the team and in the locker room,' " the Cardinals GM said during an appearance Friday on the "Burns and Gambo" show on 98.7, Arizona's Sports Station. "Since he's been injured I've seen him break down the huddle multiple times, he is still using his voice. His leadership has been impressive."

Keim also said "anything is possible" with Watt potentially making it back on to the field this season.

"You're talking about a guy that's just different than anybody else. I've seen him on the field this week -- not practicing, but moving around -- and I've seen him in the weight room and just the other night I was coming out of the office late and he was in the hot tub. He was here after hours. The guys is a relentless worker, he's a relentless player, he's passionate about the game and again, I would not bet against him.

-- If anyone was hoping Keim was going to shed any more light on Kyler Murray's status, it wasn't coming. "I don't know for sure," Keim said. "The good news is, collectively, as a team, we are getting healthier."

"I feel good about our depth," Keim added. "Colt McCoy has looked good this week, which is encouraging. Regardless, I think we're going to have a good opportunity with whoever plays that position."

Big picture, Keim said the Seahawks game is important but whether it is Murray or DeAndre Hopkins or anyone else, the thinking always goes beyond one game.

"Never would we want to ever put a player at risk," Keim said. "There are certain things that have to be determined for the sake of the organization and the player. It always has to be looked at long-term -- you don't want to do something that is foolish and put a guy at risk."

-- Keim said he was encouraged with the progress of Hopkins, having seen him run out on the field. Kliff Kingsbury said earlier Friday he expected Hopkins back after the bye.