Carson Wentz to start for Vikings against Bills as Kyler Murray is ruled out
Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell named Wentz for Monday’s game after Murray developed hamstring soreness. Murray is week to week, while Wentz brings 100 career regular-season starts.
The Minnesota Vikings will start Carson Wentz against the Buffalo Bills on Monday, Nov. 9, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis after coach Kevin O’Connell announced Thursday that Kyler Murray was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Murray is week to week, according to ESPN and the Democrat and Chronicle; O’Connell said injured reserve was “not under consideration at all,” ESPN reported.
Wentz’s results in relief and as a starter
Monday will be Wentz’s second start this season, ESPN reported. He started against Chicago in Week 2, when Murray was unavailable with a concussion, and Minnesota won 9-3. The Democrat and Chronicle reported that Wentz has played extensively in two games this season, winning both. Across those appearances he has completed 23 of 39 passes for 276 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
The 33-year-old has made 100 regular-season starts in his career, including six for Minnesota over the previous two seasons, the Democrat and Chronicle reported. His two earlier appearances this season came as Murray recovered from a concussion: Wentz entered the season opener against Green Bay after Murray was injured and threw three touchdown passes in a 39-22 Vikings win, then started against Chicago the following week. Minnesota’s earlier Wentz start during Murray’s concussion absence was also covered in our report on his Week 2 start.
How Murray’s injury developed
Murray returned in Week 3 and started Minnesota’s next five games, the Democrat and Chronicle reported. He developed hamstring soreness late in Sunday’s 19-15 loss to Detroit, finished the game and completed 17 of 29 passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. O’Connell said Monday that Murray was undergoing further evaluation and that it was too early to know whether he could play against Buffalo. The Thursday announcement ruled him out for this matchup; the reports describe him as week to week but do not establish a return date.
The change sets up Wentz to face Buffalo while the Vikings seek to respond to their first loss of the season. Both teams are 6-1, and Minnesota leads the NFC North, ESPN reported. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:15 p.m. Eastern on Monday at U.S. Bank Stadium, according to the Democrat and Chronicle.
Read in depth: Sports
Denver’s early-season struggles expose its reliance on Nikola Jokić
The Nuggets are 4-3, with an offense outside its usual top 10. ESPN’s analysis points to roster concerns around the three-time MVP; his latest game offered a brighter...
Miami vs. Notre Dame: Where each team holds an edge
No. 11 Notre Dame hosts No. 1 Miami on Saturday in a matchup with advantages for both sides—and without injured Miami receiver Malachi Toney.
Sources and context
- Bills to face another backup QB as Vikings name new starter with Kyler Murray injuredDemocrat and Chronicle (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- Vikings to start QB Carson Wentz against Bills with Kyler Murray ruled outESPN
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.