Vikings Rule Out Kyler Murray for Week 2; Carson Wentz to Start vs. Bears
The Minnesota Vikings have officially ruled out quarterback Kyler Murray for Sunday’s game at the Chicago Bears after Murray remained in the NFL’s concussion protocol following the hit that ended his Week 1, a)
By SLAM Intel Desk · 4 min read · Updated Sep 18, 2026, 7:36 PM EDT
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Lede: Vikings rule Murray out; Wentz to start
The Minnesota Vikings have ruled starting quarterback Kyler Murray out of Sunday’s Week 2 trip to Soldier Field because he remains in the NFL concussion protocol, the team announced — clearing the way for veteran Carson Wentz to make the start. The decision was confirmed by the league office and reported by multiple outlets late Friday.
Murray’s much-anticipated Vikings debut lasted less than a quarter in Week 1 after a scramble that ended with a late hit from Green Bay safety Javon Bullard. He was evaluated and placed in concussion protocol; Minnesota listed him as out on Friday’s injury report.
How Wentz performed when he subbed in
When Wentz replaced Murray in the comeback against the Packers, he completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns without committing a turnover, giving Minnesota a clean, efficient relief performance to fall back on this week. The numbers underline why the Vikings feel comfortable turning to the veteran as a short-term starter.
Wentz’s Week 1 showing suggests Minnesota will be able to run a functional offense with less-than-ideal continuity, but it also changes the play-calling profile: Wentz is more of a pocket-based, timing quarterback than Murray, whose mobility and downfield explosiveness were part of the reason Minnesota signed him this offseason.
Why this matters beyond one game
The gap between expectation and reality is what puts this ruling in play. Minnesota acquired Murray in March hoping to end the quarterback carousel that plagued the roster last season. Losing him after one quarter not only forces a re-think of the Week 2 game plan but also raises immediate questions about the team’s depth and the timeline for stabilizing the position.
There are ancillary questions the team and fans will be watching: whether Murray can clear protocol in time for Week 3, whether the NFL will review the late hit that precipitated the injury, and how the Vikings’ offense will adjust its balance of quick passes, designed runs and deep shots with Wentz under center.
Short-term expectations
Expect Minnesota to tailor its game plan to Wentz’s strengths: quicker reads, shorter drops, and more emphasis on rhythm passing and a steadier run game to protect the quarterback. How successfully the Vikings execute that switch — and whether Wentz can keep turnovers low while matching Minnesota’s explosive potential — will go a long way toward determining whether this is a one-week detour or a longer-term shift.
For Chicago, facing a different quarterback changes matchup math and preparatory focus. The Bears scored 59 points in Week 1, and the Vikings now enter Soldier Field with a different offensive temperament than the one they planned for when they signed Murray this spring.
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NFL Concussion Protocol — What 'in protocol' means
When a player is put into the NFL concussion protocol, team medical staff and independent neurological consultants follow a stepwise process of rest, graded exertion and testing. A player must be symptom-free and pass sideline, cognitive and graded-exercise benchmarks before a team physician and an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant clear him to return to contact.
Why it matters here
A diagnosis of concussion does not carry a fixed timeline — clearance depends on symptom resolution and testing. That variability is why the Vikings could rule Murray out Saturday yet say early-week clearance remains possible, and why his availability for Week 3 is uncertain.
Sources and attribution
- NFLPublished Sep 18, 2026, 2:46 PM EDT
Reporting attributed to NFL.
- CBS SportsPublished Sep 18, 2026, 3:30 PM EDT
Reporting attributed to CBS Sports.
- Yahoo SportsPublished Sep 18, 2026, 3:19 PM EDT
Reporting attributed to Yahoo Sports.
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