Overview
- On Thursday, coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Kyler Murray will not play in Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills after imaging diagnosed a hamstring strain and the team labeled his status week-to-week.
- O’Connell said placing Murray on injured reserve is not under consideration and that the move was made to avoid turning a manageable strain into a more serious injury given Murray’s reliance on mobility.
- Carson Wentz will start Monday night with Max Brosmer as his backup; Wentz has appeared twice for the Vikings this season and is 23-of-39 for 276 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in those games.
- The change hands Wentz a visible chance to lead the offense in primetime and raises the practical stakes of Murray’s one-year, prove-it contract because strong play by Wentz could influence the Vikings’ quarterback decision after Murray recovers.
- The Vikings enter the game 6-1 with a top-ranked defense that has masked offensive struggles, so Minnesota will lean on its defense and Wentz’s experience while observers watch how his performance affects the team before the trade deadline.