Cardinals’ Murray returns from ankle injury against Rams

Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray returned from an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter and was trying to rally the Arizona Cardinals against the Los Angeles Rams.

Murray injured his right ankle when he was sacked on the Cardinals’ first drive. Although he was listed as questionable to return to a game with playoff implications for both teams, he was back under center early in the fourth quarter with the Cardinals trailing 18-7.

Murray had two big pass plays to help get the Cardinals into the red zone. But he was sacked, threw an incompletion in the end zone and then Mike Nugent had a field goal attempt blocked.

Murray had 14 yards of offense (7 rushing, 7 passing) on the first drive before the Cardinals were forced to punt near midfield. Arizona quickly got it back when Jordan Hicks intercepted John Wolford’s pass at the Rams 20 and returned it 6 yards.

Chris Streveler replaced Murray and led the Cardinals to a touchdown on his first drive. Streveler, who had never thrown a pass in an NFL game, was 2 for 2 for 14 yards giving the Cardinals a 7-0 lead.

Murray went to the locker room but later returned to the sideline.

Arizona and Los Angeles were both playing for postseason spots. Troy Hill intercepted Streveler just before halftime and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown and a 12-7 lead.

At Tampa Bay, star receiver Mike Evans was carted to the locker room with a left knee injury late in the first quarter and did not return to the Buccaneers’ 44-27 victory against Atlanta.

Evans was injured one play after a 20-yard reception made him the first player in NFL history to begin a career with seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The 6-foot-5, 231-pound receiver was helped to his feet and tried to walk off with assistance from a trainer. Unable to put his weight on the knee, he finished the trip to the locker room on a cart and was later taken for a MRI.

In other injury news:

— Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims was evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter at New England and didn’t return. Left tackle Mekhi Becton limped off the field with an ankle early in the third quarter. Receiver Jeff Smith left with a shoulder injury and fellow receiver Jamison Crowder left in the fourth quarter after a collision.

— Patriots safety Adrian Phillips left in the first quarter with a hip injury and didn’t return. Wide receiver Damiere Byrd was helped off the field in the third quarter with a head injury. Left tackle Justin Herron left with an ankle injury.

— Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Vernon didn’t put any weight on his leg while being assisted to the medical tent and was then carted to the locker room. Rookie wide receiver/punt returner Donovan Peoples-Jones suffered a concussion late in the first half against Pittsburgh while jumping to make a catch and getting drilled by safety Sean Davis.

— Lions offensive linemen Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Jonah Jackson left with concussions and defensive tackle Nick Williams injured an ankle vs. Minnesota.

— Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown was ruled out at halftime against the Giants with a back injury and tight end Blake Bell left in the third quarter with a stinger.

— Giants linebacker Blake Martinez left briefly after appearing to injure his left ankle or foot in the third quarter.

— Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (groin) left in the first half and did not return.

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