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Vikings QB Murray clears concussion protocol, will start vs. Bucs

3:10 PM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: Kyler Murray has cleared concussion protocol and will start for the Vikings against the Buccaneers.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced Monday that Kyler Murray has cleared concussion protocol and will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Murray suffered a head injury in the first quarter of the team’s season opener against the Green Bay Packers, forcing him to miss much of Week 1 and all of Week 2.

O’Connell said, “Kyler has cleared the final phase of the protocol.”

Murray’s return is expected to bring a change in the team’s offensive strategy. The Vikings have been running the football more in his absence, but with Murray back, the team’s approach is likely to shift.

The Vikings’ passing attack struggled in the recent victory over the Bears, and the team hopes Murray’s return will spark the offense.

Murray, a two-time Pro Bowler, signed with the Vikings this offseason after a limited 2025 season with the Arizona Cardinals.

In Murray’s absence, the Vikings have started four different quarterbacks, including Wentz, who went 11-of-20 for 143 yards in the win over the Bears.

The real question now is how the Vikings’ offense will look with Murray back in the lineup.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that O’Connell revealed Murray’s clearance from concussion protocol on Monday.

The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the season.

The Vikings’ defense has held strong in Murray’s absence, but the team hopes his return will elevate their overall performance.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters in his Monday press conference that Murray has cleared concussion protocol and is on schedule to play in the team’s matchup with the Buccaneers.
• Kyler Murray is set to return to the starting lineup.
• Kyler Murray is back as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.

What's still developing

• If Tua or Penix still aren't able to start in Week 3, Strand could be the guy, and is likely available on your wire.
• “He’s doing great, he’ll be cleared, and he will start this week against Tampa Bay.” Murray went down early in the Week 1 win over the Packers when he was hit while trying to slide on a scramble.
• Despite leading the team to two wins, Murray will be back as the starter over Wentz, who returns to his backup role.
• Murray was injured just 11 plays into the team’s season-opener against Green Bay.
• They started in the pistol and came out with an empty set on the following play.
• The Minnesota Vikings found a way to get an ugly win against the Chicago Bears with Dallas Turner breaking out again.
• That will be huge in helping elevate Murray to being the high-caliber quarterback that we know he can be.
• It seemed as if the Vikings were going to lose their starting quarterback and the game when they fell behind by 12 points in the second half, but Carson Wentz directed a comeback as the home team scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone.
• In fact, the Vikings didn't find the end zone in the 9-3 victory and struggled to generate any offensive momentum in the rainy conditions.
• Still, the backup did enough to improve the team's overall record to 2-0 just in time for Murray to return to the lineup.
• In Murray's absence, the Vikings received solid quarterback play from veteran Carson Wentz.

Sources

• 4for4link
• 5 EYEWITNESS NEWSlink
• A to Z Sportslink
• Bleacher Reportlink
• CBS Sportslink
• Minnesota Vikingslink
• NFL.comlink
• NFLTradeRumors.colink
• Pioneer Presslink
• The Big Leadlink
• heavy.comlink
• sportsnet.calink
• theScorelink
• Newsweeklink
• Dailynorsemanlink
• Fox Newslink
• Onebar & Lupagus Show Minnesota Vikings Daily — video link