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Wentz to Start for Vikings as Murray Nears Return
Confirmed
In Short: Carson Wentz will start for the Vikings in Week 2 against the Bears after Kyler Murray suffered a concussion.
Kyler Murray will not play in the Vikings' Week 2 game against the Bears due to a concussion suffered in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Carson Wentz will take the starting quarterback position, marking his sixth start for Minnesota since the beginning of last season.
The Vikings had hoped Murray's debut would end the quarterback carousel they experienced last season.
In the season opener, Murray was hit by Packers defenders Lukas Van Ness and Javon Bullard during a scramble, leading to his exit after less than a quarter.
Murray's injury left his status for Week 2 in serious doubt, as he remains in concussion protocol.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Murray’s absence, noting that he struggled in his first start, throwing an interception on his opening drive.
Wentz performed well in his last game, throwing three touchdowns after replacing the injured Murray against the Packers.
If Murray cannot clear concussion protocol in time, J.J. McCarthy, who started the season opener, would be the backup option.
TreVeyon Henderson, the New England Patriots' running back, is expected to return to practice this week, while Ladd McConkey of the Los Angeles Chargers appears to have avoided a long-term injury.
Murray's signing with the Vikings in free agency was seen as a significant move, but his injury has cast doubt on his immediate impact.
The Vikings are hoping for a quick recovery for Murray, who could potentially return as early as six days from now.
What this adds
The Vikings' quarterback situation remains fluid as they navigate Murray's recovery and Wentz's performance.
What's confirmed
- Kyler Murray (concussion) is out for the Vikings ' Week 2 game against the Bears, the team announced.
What's still developing
- All told, McCarthy started 10 games, Wentz started five games, and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer started two games.
- Now, it'll be Wentz called upon again in an important early-division matchup; McCarthy will back him up.
- In fact, Jefferson averaged 95.4 receiving yards per game in Wentz's five starts last year, and the two showed a strong connection in Week 1 as well.
- Bullard was flagged for unnecessary roughness while Murray lay on the ground and got medical attention, and Murray went back to the locker room shortly thereafter.
- Scary scene as Kyler Murray takes a massive hit and stays down after the play.
- The Vikings opened the season with 2024 first-round pick J.J.
- Murray, on a one-year deal, battled McCarthy for the starting job for a few weeks in training camp before winning the job.
- When speaking to reporters on Monday, head coach Mike Vrabel said that Henderson will be returning to practice this week.
- He then exited on the third drive after suffering a concussion, and his timeline for a return remains unclear.
- Minutes after the incident, the Vikings announced that Murray was being evaluated for a concussion.