The Minnesota Vikings will start Carson Wentz in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears after Kyler Murray was officially ruled out due to a concussion suffered in Week 1.
Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings’ head coach, confirmed Murray’s status on Friday, stating the quarterback remains in concussion protocol and has not cleared the necessary medical steps to return. Wentz, who previously started for Minnesota in 2023 during an injury to J.J. McCarthy, will lead the offense against Chicago.
Murray exited Minnesota’s season opener in the first quarter after taking a hit while sliding, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty on Packers safety Javon Bullard. The quarterback completed just three of five passes for 18 yards and an interception before being replaced by Wentz, who finished with 12 completions on 19 attempts, 133 yards, and three touchdowns. Minnesota rallied from a 24-2 deficit to win 48-22.
O’Connell reiterated that Murray is progressing in practice but must still meet the league’s concussion protocol requirements before a return. The team expects Murray to be cleared next week, per reporting from the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Wentz’s selection as the Week 2 starter marks the second consecutive season he has been elevated to the lineup due to injury. In 2023, he started five games for Minnesota after McCarthy suffered an ankle injury in Week 3. Wentz’s tenure ended in Week 8 when he was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, which contributed to McCarthy’s eventual return as the starter.
The Vikings signed Murray to a one-year, $1.3 million contract in March after his release from the Arizona Cardinals, where he played five games before a season-ending foot injury in 2023. Murray’s tenure with Minnesota began with a limited Week 1 performance, leaving questions about his readiness as the primary starter.
Chicago enters Week 2 with momentum after a 59-37 Week 1 victory over the Bears, setting up a high-scoring matchup at Soldier Field. Wentz will need to replicate his Week 1 success to keep pace with a Bears offense that has shown early-season firepower.