MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carson Wentz will start at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, with Kyler Murray still in the NFL concussion protocol and ruled out for the game at Chicago.
Murray was a limited participant in practice all week and simply ran out of time to make more more progress after taking an illegal hit to the head in the first quarter of his debut for Minnesota in the season opener.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said he expects Murray to clear the protocol early next week and be able to play at Tampa Bay on Sept. 27.
“Kyler showed a lot of progress,” O’Connell said. “He’s doing well.”
Murray took a jarring hit to the side of his helmet that drew an unnecessary roughness penalty on Green Bay safety Javon Bullard, leaving Murray in the type of defensive pose that can accompany brain trauma.
Because Murray didn't slide feet first and forward, he left himself open to contact, even though Bullard's lowered shoulder was deemed excessive as Murray ducked toward the turf.
“He plays with such explosiveness that he was trying to go feet-first, but he ended up going kind of sideways,” O'Connell said. “The game speed and the velocity of the play ended up putting him in a risk-worthy opportunity there for him to get hurt, and luckily it seems to be we avoided anything serious. Just how he’s feeling, I’m very encouraged about what next week looks for him.”
The eighth-year player — who signed with the Vikings after being released by Arizona — was eventually able to slowly walk off the field under his own power. He was alert and interacting with teammates in the locker room afterward and looked spry on the practice field this week.
Wentz threw three touchdown passes in relief of Murray to help the Vikings close the game with 29 consecutive points in their 39-22 victory. J.J. McCarthy will be the No. 2 quarterback at Chicago. Against Green Bay, McCarthy was the emergency No. 3 quarterback who can only enter the game if the first two are injured.
The Vikings also ruled out wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who hasn't practiced all week because of a personal family matter. Running back Jordan Mason is also out for at least four games because of a broken thumb. Right tackle Brian O'Neill was listed as questionable with a knee injury that occurred in practice on Wednesday, but O'Connell said he was encouraged by how O'Neill looked on the field on Friday.
Missing Murray, Mason and Jennings will be a challenge in a game the Vikings will likely need a high score to win against a Bears team that put up 59 points last week, but Wentz will at least be more prepared this time than having to come in cold against the Packers.
“It was good to get a lot of reps in, and even just building the game plan and being part of those conversations a little bit more attentively this week,” Wentz said. “It was a good week.”
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