Overview
- Kyler Murray left the Vikings’ season opener after taking a hard hit on Sept. 13 and was placed in the NFL concussion protocol, which kept him out of the Week 2 game.
- Carson Wentz replaced Murray in that opener and completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns, a relief performance that helped Minnesota rally to a 39-22 win.
- Head coach Kevin O’Connell officially ruled Murray out for Week 2 and announced Wentz will start against the Chicago Bears with J.J. McCarthy listed as the backup.
- Team sources and reporting say the Vikings expect Murray could clear the protocol and be available as soon as Week 3, but any return depends on medical clearance rather than coaching preference.
- Wentz’s strong showing has created a substantive quarterback question for Minnesota that could affect McCarthy’s development and the team’s roster plans if Wentz keeps starting and winning.