The NFL’s Injury Bug Bites Hard in Week 6: Kyler Murray Sidelined as Cardinals Face Uphill Battle
Week 6 of the NFL’s 2025 season is shaping up to be a test of depth and resilience for several teams, with key players sidelined due to injuries. But here’s where it gets controversial: how much does the absence of a star quarterback like Kyler Murray truly impact a team’s chances? The Arizona Cardinals are about to find out as they aim to snap a three-game losing streak without their franchise QB.
Murray, who missed two days of practice this week with a lingering foot injury, was officially ruled out 90 minutes before kickoff against the Indianapolis Colts. Despite returning for a limited session on Friday, his absence leaves the Cardinals in a precarious position. Jacoby Brissett will step in as the starter, with Kedon Slovis—signed from the practice squad this week—serving as his backup. Is this the moment Brissett proves he’s more than just a placeholder, or will the Cardinals’ offense sputter without Murray’s dynamic playmaking?
But the Cardinals aren’t the only team dealing with significant absences. Across the league, rosters are thinning as injuries pile up. Here’s a breakdown of the early inactives for Week 6’s key matchups:
Cardinals at Colts
- Cardinals Inactives: QB Kyler Murray, CB Elijah Jones, DL Darius Robinson, OL Demontray Jacobs, OL Josh Fryar, WR Xavier Weaver, DL Bilal Nichols
- Colts Inactives: RB Tyler Goodson, CB Kenny Moore, TE Will Mallory, WR Adonai Mitchell, QB Anthony Richardson, T Luke Tenuta, DE JT Tuimoloau
Rams at Ravens
- Rams Inactives: WR Tutu Atwell, LB Omar Speights, G Beaux Limmer, T Rob Havenstein, TE Colby Parkinson, DE Deshaun Johnson
- Ravens Inactives: QB Lamar Jackson, LB Roquan Smith, CB Chidobe Awuzie, FB Pat Ricard, T Carson Vinson, WR Tez Walker, DT Aeneas Peebles
Cowboys at Panthers
- Cowboys Inactives: WR CeeDee Lamb, OL Tyler Booker, WR KaVontae Turpin, LB Jack Sanborn, DL Mazi Smith, OL Ajani Cornelius
- Panthers Inactives: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, CB Akayleb Evans, RB Chuba Hubbard, S Trevian Thomas, T Taylor Moton, DT Jaden Crumedy, DT Tershawn Wharton
Seahawks at Jaguars
- Seahawks Inactives: QB Jalen Milroe, S Julian Love, CB Devon Witherspoon, CB Riq Woolen, LB Derick Hall, OL Josh Jones, TE Nick Kallerup
- Jaguars Inactives: S Kahlef Hailassie, RB Cody Schrader, LB Yasir Abdullah, OL Robert Hainsey, DT Khalen Saunders
Chargers at Dolphins
- Chargers Inactives: WR Quentin Johnston, WR Derius Davis (knee), FB/DL Scott Matlock, OL Jamaree Salyer, T Joe Alt, OL Trey Pipkins, CB Nikko Reed
- Dolphins Inactives: QB Quinn Ewers, RB Jaylen Wright, CB Storm Duck, DT Zeek Biggers, LB Tyrel Dodson, WR Cedrick Wilson Jr., DB Elijah Campbell
Patriots at Saints
- Patriots Inactives: QB Tommy Devito, S Jaylinn Hawkins, LB Anfernee Jennings, DT Eric Gregory, G Caedan Wallace, DE Keion White
- Saints Inactives: S Ugo Amadi, CB Rejzohn Wright, OL Torricelli Simpkins, OL Xavier Truss, DT Khristian Boyd, CB Isaac Yiadom
Browns at Steelers
- Browns Inactives: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, RB Raheim Sanders, DT Mike Hall Jr., T Thayer Munford, G Zak Zinter, T Cornelius Lucas
- Steelers Inactives: WR Calvin Austin, S Chuck Clark, DL DeMarvin Leal, DL Logan Lee, OL Andrus Peat
And this is the part most people miss: while star players grab headlines, it’s often the depth of a team’s roster that determines their ability to weather the storm of injuries. Do you think teams invest enough in their backups, or are they too reliant on their starters to carry the load? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from settled.
