Tune played three of the Cardinals' 57 snaps on offense in Monday's 17-15 win over the Chargers and carried three times for two yards. Even though starting quarterback Kyler Murray didn't suffer an injury at any point in Monday's contest, Tune was summoned from the bench for his second appearance of the season. All three of his snaps came in 3rd-and-1 or 4th-and-1 situations, as the Cardinals likely thought that the sturdier built Tune (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) would have a better chance at pushing through a pile of bodies for a first down than the smaller Murray (5-foot-10, 207 pounds). Tune was able to extend a drive in the second quarter with a two-yard run on third down, but he was held to no gain on back-to-back carries on 3th-and-1 and 4th-and-1 in the third quarter to cede possession to the Chargers.
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Tune played three of the Cardinals' 57 snaps on offense in Monday's 17-15 win over the Chargers and carried three times for two yards. Even though starting quarterback Kyler Murray didn't suffer an injury at any point in Monday's contest, Tune was summoned from the bench for his second appearance of the season. All three of his snaps came in 3rd-and-1 or 4th-and-1 situations, as the Cardinals likely thought that the sturdier built Tune (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) would have a better chance at pushing through a pile of bodies for a first down than the smaller Murray (5-foot-10, 207 pounds). Tune was able to extend a drive in the second quarter with a two-yard run on third down, but he was held to no gain on back-to-back carries on 3th-and-1 and 4th-and-1 in the third quarter to cede possession to the Chargers.
Tune is in line to begin the 2024 season as the Cardinals' No. 2 QB behind starter Kyler Murray, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports. In the midst of roster cuts this week, Arizona waived Desmond Ridder on Tuesday before signing him to the practice squad one day later. The move left Murray and Tune as the only signal-callers on the active roster, indicating their respective standings among the group. Tune, a 2023 fifth-round pick, made seven appearances (one start) last season, completing 12 of 21 passes for 62 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, rushing eight times for 30 yards and one TD and fumbling twice (one lost).
Tune completed 12 of 18 passes for 119 yards and an interception in Sunday's 38-12 preseason loss to the Broncos. The 2023 fifth-round pick got the start under center, and while he was fairly efficient, Tune led the Cardinals to just one Matt Prater 50-yard field goal in his five first-half drives. Desmond Ridder took over to begin the third quarter but left the game late in the fourth after taking a hit, and he was placed in the concussion protocol. With Ridder's availability for Week 1 now in question, Tune could begin the season as Kyler Murray's top backup.
Tune is slated to start Sunday's preseason finale against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. With Kyler Murray not in line to see any exhibition action, Tune will get the starting nod Sunday and will be followed by Desmond Ridder. Tune and Ridder remain in contention to work as Murray's top backup, though Rapoport suggests that the Cardinals could elect to keep all three QB's on their initial 53-man roster.
Tune completed eight of his 10 pass attempts for 79 yards while rushing twice for 15 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's preseason loss to the Colts. Tune started under center in place of Kyler Murray (coach's decision) and produced strong results for the second week in a row. The sophomore backup wound up scoring his team's only touchdown with his legs before turning the keys over to fellow backup Desmond Ritter in the second half. Tune outperformed the latter for the second week running, despite flipping roles (and strength of defenses) on both occasions. Perhaps Tune has made a case to leap the slightly more experienced Ritter in the competition for the No. 2 role in Arizona.
The results were about what was to be expected when throwing a rookie quarterback out for his first start against an aggressive Browns defense, with Tune often looking out of sorts while taking a whopping seven sacks. The 2023 fifth-round pick averaged just 2.9 yards per attempt and saw his first pick lead to a Cleveland touchdown and his second result in a field-goal attempt that was missed. Tune's stint under center is likely to be a one-and-done scenario unless the Cardinals opt to let Kyler Murray's (knee) 21-day practice window close this upcoming week without activating him.
Following Sunday's 31-24 loss the Ravens, Gannon noted to Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com that Joshua Dobbs would be the team's starter again Week 9, but a video session of that contest has caused him to change his tune, per Urban. Tune is a rookie fifth-round pick and has made just one cameo this season Week 7 at Seattle in which he completed his only pass for four yards, but he was fairly prolific his final two campaigns at Houston, throwing for 7,610 yards and 70 touchdowns in 27 games. His chances to be Arizona's starting signal-caller Sunday are contingent on Murray gaining clearance to play following last season's torn ACL, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that Tune likely will get the nod.