Kyler Murray has now seen a tie, a loss and a number of learning experiences. Unfortunately for the rookie quarterback, that final category does not show up in the Cardinals’ record.

Kliff Kingsbury knows how talented Murray is, but the Cardinals coach also understands that it can take time to adjust. He admits that he is doing some adjusting himself as he calls plays at the NFL level.

When it comes to evaluating Murray, eventually, learning experiences will not be enough. There is a cutoff, but it is still a ways off.

"Next season," Kingsbury said Monday. "I think this year as a rookie quarterback — I didn’t ever start in the NFL, but I’ve talked to enough guys that say every one of those reps is so valuable as they grow up and how much the game slows down going into Year 2 as the guy and all the offseason preparation and reps that come with it.

"We’re going to continue to grow and do the best we can throughout the season. The entire 16-game (season) is going to be one big learning experience for him, and we all know that."

Murray has a competitive nature and is not used to losing. He said directly after Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Ravens that he was not satisfied with just improvements. Chalking up an entire season to a learning experience is not his goal, and Kingsbury also is looking for more than just moral victories. The balance of having that timeline for growth with a distaste for losing presents some challenges.

"There’s no question, you want to win, and he’s doing everything in his power, and I’m doing everything in my power to get it done," Kingsbury said. "We’re also going to be very patient in our approach with him, and if he makes a mistake, we’re going to learn from it and get better and try not to make it again. He knows that’s the plan."

While Murray has room to improve, when Kingsbury says they are being patient with the rookie, it is not that things are abysmal. In reality, Murray has had slow starts, but then shown flashes of excellence, especially in the context of being a rookie in the NFL.

Through two starts, he is 54 of 94 for 657 yards. He has thrown for two touchdowns and one interception, both in Week 1 against the Lions.

He joins Panthers quarterback and upcoming opponent Cam Newton as the only two quarterbacks in league history to throw for 300 yards or more in their two debut games. Like Murray, Newton also did not win either of those first two games, losing each by a touchdown.

Following the loss to the Ravens, Kingsbury and a few Cardinals players raved about Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson's jump in production from his rookie season to this year. He started just seven games last season, but the difference from Year One to Two seemed drastic for players like Terrell Suggs and Michael Crabtree. Suggs noted that "there's no shortcut" in quarterback development, and Crabtree said it's still "hard to compare" Jackson and Murray.

Kingsbury seems to agree with that, particularly when looking into whether or not he'd like to see Murray run more.

"It’s his second game as an NFL player, so I think he’s still figuring out what he can and can’t get away with," Kingsbury said.

"That’s going to be a year-long process as he figures out NFL defenses and the timing and things of that nature. He’s done a good job protecting himself, getting down and making throws when he needs to make throws. I’ve been pleased with that."

Back dat pass up

It has not been a smooth start to the season for starting quarterbacks. Ben Roethlisberger is done for the year, and Drew Brees is out for about six weeks. Nick Foles is injured, and the list is growing.

Sam Darnold of the Jets has mononucleosis, and his backup, Trevor Siemian, was hurt in their Monday Night Football game.

The health of Murray will be critical to the Cardinals' season, and Kingsbury knows that. It is something to consider when Murray takes off running.

"It’s tough. Those injuries can happen at any point, in practice even," Kingsbury said. "You want them to be smart when they can be smart and protect themselves when they’re able too, and sometimes they can’t. If you lose QB1, that’s tough on your organization."

Murray's backup is Brett Hundley, who was drafted by the Packers in 2015. He speaks highly of Murray, but also knows that his job could become critical in any game.

"I think not only the starter, but the backup has an important job," Hundley said. "Backups are pretty valuable as we see now with these guys going down. So we're always in the background chilling until our number is called."

Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim is well-versed in the statistical importance of a backup quarterback. During the draft, for the short window when he had both Murray and Josh Rosen on the team, he rattled off research backing up why quarterback depth is critical to any team, but especially in making and staying in the playoffs.

"I have a personal stake in it from the fact that I remember in 2014 limping into the playoffs with our third-string quarterback," Keim said on the first night of the 2019 draft. "So, you can’t have enough good depth."

Hundley is now filling that role, and while league-wide injuries and Keim's beliefs cement that he is important to the team, he doesn't need to be told that.

"I think I just know it," Hundley said.

Injury updates

Running back David Johnson got his wrist looked at during Sunday's game, but said in postgame that everything was fine. Kingsbury reiterated that Monday: “David should be good to go.”

Outside of that, Kingsbury said the team was "overall pretty good" on the injury front following the loss.

Offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard has not been practicing or playing due to a knee injury. Kingsbury said the rookie should be back in the mix sometime this month.

"He’s getting close," Kingsbury said. "I’m not sure if it’ll be this week or next week, but he’s definitely made steady progress and will be in the not-too-distant future."

Reach the reporter at kfitzgeral@gannett.com or 480-356-6407. Follow her on Twitter @kfitz134.

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