Murray's Vikings debut ends early as QB suffers concussion — SkimNews
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- Kyler Murray exited the Vikings' 39-22 win over the Packers with a diagnosed concussion after a third-and-6 scramble in which he slid and was hit by the Packers' Lukas Van Ness and Javon Bullard, with Bullard drawing an unnecessary-roughness penalty.
- Multiple Vikings players confirmed Murray's body assumed a fencing posture on the field, a recognized reaction to brain trauma; coach Kevin O'Connell said he saw Murray postgame and 'he seemed to be doing pretty well.'
- Carson Wentz, named the No. 2 quarterback last week, replaced Murray and completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
- Wentz's relief performance made him the third NFL backup since at least 1950 to throw three touchdowns and no interceptions in his team's season opener.
- Brian O'Neill was among the first Vikings to Murray's side and said he regretted not retaliating against Bullard: 'I kind of wish I took a shot at him.'
- The Vikings' QB depth chart shifts immediately: Wentz starts, J.J. McCarthy becomes the likely backup, and practice-squad member Max Brosmer is in line for No. 3 ahead of the Sept. 20 game at the Chicago Bears.
- Murray had won the starting job this summer after signing a one-year contract in March and had thrown an interception on his first Vikings pass before completing three of four for 18 yards.
Why it matters: Murray entered concussion protocol on his 11th snap as a Viking, thrusting Wentz — who had taken only a handful of training-camp reps — into the starting role for a Sept. 20 trip to the Bears, while the 39-22 win buys Minnesota breathing room to let Murray recover.
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