Sean Murphy-Bunting Injury | Arizona Cardinals | Daily Injury

2025-08-30 — 6 min read

Sean Murphy-Bunting Injury | Arizona Cardinals | Daily Injury

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting will miss the entire 2025 NFL season after sustaining a knee injury during the offseason. The team confirmed that he underwent surgery and has been placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, effectively ending his season before it began.

Murphy-Bunting's Role in Arizona's Defense

Murphy-Bunting, 28, joined the Cardinals in 2024 on a three-year, $25.5 million contract. In his first season with the team, he started all 15 games he played, recording 52 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. His experience and leadership were expected to be pivotal in Arizona's secondary for the 2025 season.

Details of the Injury

The nature of the knee injury remains undisclosed, but it occurred during the offseason and required surgery. The Cardinals placed Murphy-Bunting on the reserve/non-football injury list on May 22, 2025, which means he will not count against the team's 90-man roster and will miss the entire season.

Impact on the Cardinals' Secondary

With Murphy-Bunting out, the Cardinals will rely heavily on their younger cornerbacks, including second-round draft pick Will Johnson from Michigan. The team also has Max Melton and Starling Thomas IV, both of whom have limited NFL experience. This shift places additional pressure on the young defensive backs to step up and fill the void left by the veteran cornerback.

Fantasy and Betting Considerations

Fantasy managers should adjust their expectations for the Cardinals' defense, particularly in terms of pass defense and interception opportunities. The absence of Murphy-Bunting may lead to increased targets for opposing quarterbacks, potentially affecting defensive scoring in fantasy leagues.

Sean Murphy-Bunting's injury is a significant setback for the Arizona Cardinals' defense. As the team adjusts to his absence, both fans and fantasy managers should monitor updates on the development of the secondary and the performance of the young cornerbacks stepping into starting roles.