EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray will sit out Monday night’s marquee matchup against the Buffalo Bills because of a hamstring strain, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced Thursday. Veteran backup Carson Wentz will start in his place.
Murray sustained the injury on a fourth-quarter read-option rush during Minnesota’s road loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the Associated Press reported. An MRI exam on Monday confirmed the strain after Murray reported soreness. O’Connell stated that Murray’s recovery is being evaluated on a week-to-week basis, though the franchise has ruled out placing him on injured reserve, which would mandate sitting out at least four games.
The coach stressed that protecting Murray’s signature agility played a central role in the decision to hold him out.
“We do feel like we’d be putting him at risk by possibly turning this into a more significant injury than it already is,” O’Connell said, as reported by the AP. “Just knowing that Kyler needs his mobility, it’s a big huge part of what makes him an effective player.”
Wentz Steps Back Into the Huddle
Wentz, 33, previously stepped in when Murray suffered a concussion during the season opener against the Green Bay Packers. The former No. 2 overall pick threw three touchdown passes in relief during that victory and subsequently guided Minnesota to a win the following week in rain-soaked Chicago, the AP noted. Rookie Max Brosmer will dress as the backup against Buffalo.
In two game appearances this season, Wentz has completed 23 of 39 passes for 276 yards, three touchdowns and zero turnovers, according to USA TODAY Sports. The prime-time start will mark Wentz’s eighth career appearance on “Monday Night Football,” where he holds a 4-3 record, Vikings Wire reported. It will be his first Monday night start since 2021 when he played for the Indianapolis Colts.
Wentz also started five games for the Vikings last year while J.J. McCarthy was sidelined before Wentz suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, according to USA TODAY Sports.
High Stakes Against Buffalo
Both the Vikings and the Bills enter Week 9 sharing the NFL’s best record at 6-1. While Minnesota sits atop a competitive NFC North behind defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ unit, its offense has struggled to produce consistent numbers.
Minnesota ranks 27th across the league with 20.0 points per game, Yahoo Sports reported, and USA TODAY Sports noted the team sits 31st in passing production at 165.6 yards per game. Through six appearances, Murray was tied for 21st among qualifying passers in expected points added per dropback, according to Next Gen Stats cited by Yahoo Sports.
When asked if a strong showing by Wentz could alter the quarterback hierarchy once Murray heals, O’Connell sidestepped the question, the AP reported.
“There’s a ton of confidence in Carson,” O’Connell said. “He’s already helped us.”
The Vikings hope Murray can recover quickly enough to suit up when Minnesota visits the Packers on Nov. 15, the AP reported.
