The last time Kyler Murray played in a preseason game, it was against the Chiefs -- the same opponent he'll face Saturday night, when he gets on a preseason field for the first time since Week 2 of 2021.

"It was a bad game," Murray said.

Murray played a quarter, completing just one of four passes for two yards, and was sacked twice. So yes, not great. (Of course, the Cardinals went out and started 7-0 that season, so there's that too.)

Murray has only played in four preseason games in his career, three of them as a rookie in 2019. It's been a minute. (And when Murray first got into the league, he noted how much he didn't love the concept of games that didn't matter, as opposed to college.)

The starters didn't play in the preseason at all last year. Coach Jonathan Gannon changed course with that this year, including some rare K1 August work.

"Honestly just go out and suit up and go get some live reps," Murray said of his plan. "I'm not making it more than what it is. If you play well, what did it mean? If you play bad, you feel bad about your performance and it lingers for the next two, three weeks until you can get out there again."

Not to read too much into Murray's words, but does that mean this will be his lone preseason appearance? That would makes sense. Perhaps it'll matter how it goes against the Chiefs.

-- One more interesting Murray comment from his conversation with Dani Sureck when asked about how he and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing had stressed the need for consistency.

"That is a word that is going to be big word not only for me but for this offense this season," Murray said.

-- Starting running back James Conner should see some snaps against the Chiefs but perhaps not even as many as Murray. Conner has had his practice reps dialed back "a little," Gannon said, not because of Trey Benson or co-RB1 but because he's James Conner.

"He's a guy who I have to tell, 'Hey man, you're not going to get this many reps,' because he'll take them all," Gannon said. "I have to tell him, 'This is what you're getting and here's why.' He typically gets on board with that."

The reasoning is simple. Conner has "a little more tread on the tires," he's a running back (which takes a lot of punishment), the coaches want to see the younger backs, and Conner simply doesn't need as much prep at this point in his career.

"You want to have them fresh Week 1," Gannon added.

-- Speaking of Benson, and the coaches have noted this too, his pass protection remains a work in progress -- like many newcomers to the league -- and will remain a key when it comes to how many snaps he'll get to play. Something to watch Saturday.

-- The things I personally will be watching against the Chiefs (I'm watching all, but these to start with):

• Darius Robinson on the defense line, as well as undrafted rookie DL Elijah Simmons (the veteran defensive linemen, I think I know what they bring.)
• Xavier Weaver in particular at wide receiver.
• What the second level of the cornerbacks look like -- Kei'Trel Clark, Elijah Jones, Denzel Burke.
• The second unit offensive line.
• Rookie Kitan Crawford on special teams.
• High school buddies Jordan Burch and Xavier Thomas, who could be battling for one roster spot.
• If Marvin Harrison Jr. actually gets a preseason target this year after playing just three snaps in the preseason last year.

See you Saturday night.