MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for their Week 2 matchup with the Chicago Bears without knowing whether starting quarterback Kyler Murray will be available.
Murray suffered a concussion during Minnesota’s season-opening victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that Murray arrived at team headquarters feeling “pretty good,” but the quarterback’s status for Sunday’s game remains uncertain.
“We’ll defer to the medical folks and that protocol for how the week goes,” O’Connell said. “We’ll just take it a day at a time.”
Murray’s Vikings debut ends after 11 plays
Murray’s first game with Minnesota lasted only 11 offensive plays.
During the first quarter against Green Bay, Murray scrambled on third down and began sliding at the end of the run. Packers safety Javon Bullard and edge rusher Lukas Van Ness closed in on the play, with Murray taking a hard hit to the head. His helmet came off during the collision, and he remained on the field for several minutes while being evaluated.
Bullard was penalized for unnecessary roughness, and Murray eventually walked off the field under his own power. The Vikings later announced that he had been ruled out for the remainder of the game because of the concussion.
Murray completed 3 of 5 passes for 18 yards and an interception before leaving the game and also rushed twice for nine yards.
Carson Wentz steps in and leads comeback
The Vikings suddenly turned to veteran quarterback Carson Wentz, who entered the game with Minnesota trailing.
What followed was an impressive comeback.
Wentz completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Vikings overcome a 22-10 deficit. Minnesota scored the game’s final 29 points and defeated Green Bay 39-22.
Wentz connected with Justin Jefferson twice for touchdowns and also found tight end T.J. Hockenson for a 16-yard score during the comeback.
The performance gives Minnesota some insurance at quarterback should Murray be unable to clear the concussion protocol before Sunday’s game.
Wentz could make his 100th career start
If Murray cannot play, Wentz is expected to take the starting assignment against Chicago.
The potential start would be the 100th of Wentz’s NFL career. Vikings coaches and players expressed confidence in the veteran after his performance against Green Bay.
For Minnesota, that provides some stability during an uncertain week.
The Vikings also have former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy on the roster, but Wentz entered the season ahead of McCarthy on the quarterback depth chart.
A challenging matchup awaits in Chicago
The Vikings now turn their attention to the Bears, who also opened the season with a high-scoring performance.
Chicago scored 59 points against Carolina in its season opener, creating an immediate challenge for Minnesota’s defense regardless of who starts at quarterback.
If Murray is cleared, the Vikings will have their new starting quarterback back in the lineup for his first road game with the team.
If he isn’t, Wentz will have to build on the momentum he created against Green Bay.
The concussion protocol will determine Murray’s availability
For now, the Vikings aren’t putting a timetable on Murray’s return.
The quarterback must progress through the NFL’s concussion protocol and be medically cleared before he can return to action. O’Connell emphasized that the team will rely on its medical staff and evaluate Murray’s progress throughout the week.
That makes practice participation and additional updates later in the week important indicators of where things stand.
The Vikings have already demonstrated that they can win without Murray, but his availability remains one of the biggest storylines heading into Sunday’s NFC North matchup.
Minnesota visits Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 20, with kickoff scheduled for noon CT. Whether Murray or Wentz takes the opening snap will depend on Murray’s recovery and clearance through the concussion protocol.
