Kyler Murray clears concussion protocol and will start for Vikings against Tampa Bay Buccaneers
EAGAN, Minn. — Kyler Murray will return under center for the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday, clearing the final hurdle of the NFL's concussion protocol Monday and reclaiming the starting role he won during training camp.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed the decision after practice, ending a two-week absence that began with a frightening hit in the season opener against Green Bay. Murray absorbed a forearm to the helmet and a simultaneous blow to the neck from two Packers defenders, an impact that forced him from his Vikings debut and into the league's mandatory evaluation process. Though he walked off the field under his own power and remained responsive, the independent neurological consultants overseeing the protocol kept him sidelined for Minnesota's Week 2 matchup with Chicago.
In his place, veteran Carson Wentz steered the offense to a pair of victories. After rallying the Vikings past the Packers in Week 1, Wentz managed a conservative but mistake-free performance against the Bears, completing 11 of 20 passes for 143 yards without a turnover in a 9-3 defensive struggle. The wins pushed Minnesota to 2-0 atop the NFC North.
The coaches' room never wavered on the long-term plan. Murray, who edged out first-round pick J.J. McCarthy for the starting job in August, remained engaged throughout his recovery, attending meetings and tracking the game plan. O'Connell said Monday that the time away may have offered Murray a valuable vantage point.
"I think the starting point is he's just watched Carson really function in a way that there wasn't — Carson wasn't, you know, doing crazy things," O'Connell said. "He was just protecting the football, making good decisions, making some big-time throws when he could, and running the show. And I think [Murray] saw some plays get made. I think he saw our team play totally connected and complimentary of all of the other two phases and what that can do for the Minnesota Vikings on a Sunday."
The Vikings' formula through two weeks has leaned heavily on defense and special teams, with the offense asked to be efficient rather than explosive. Wentz embraced that role, and O'Connell indicated he wants Murray to internalize the same approach — orchestrating rather than improvising, at least until the situation demands more.
Murray will face his first true test of that philosophy Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has given opposing quarterbacks fits early in the season. Kickoff is set for noon central time.