Kyler Murray Cleared for Vikings' Sunday Matchup
Quarterback Kyler Murray has successfully navigated concussion protocol and is set to start for the Minnesota Vikings against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kyler Murray has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and will start at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Kevin O'Connell announced Monday.
Murray missed the Vikings' Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears after sustaining a concussion during the Week 1 contest against the Green Bay Packers. The injury occurred after a forearm to the helmet and a blow to the neck from two Packers defenders.
Despite the apparent severity of the hit, Murray was responsive and walked to the locker room. He subsequently entered the NFL's concussion protocol, requiring evaluation by independent physicians.
During Murray's absence, Carson Wentz took over as the starting quarterback. Wentz led the Vikings to a comeback win against the Packers in Week 1 and a 9-3 victory over the Bears on Sunday. In the win against Chicago, Wentz completed 11 of 20 passes for 143 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions.
O'Connell noted that Murray observed Wentz's performance while in protocol. "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."
Murray had won the starting job over J.J. McCarthy during training camp. The Vikings currently lead the NFC North with a 2-0 record. Sunday's victory against the Bears was not a high-scoring offensive affair, which may have influenced O'Connell's decision to reinstate Murray as the starter.