Vikings will start Carson Wentz at
QB vs. Bears with Kyler Murray still in concussion protocol
[September 19, 2026]
By DAVE CAMPBELL
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.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) drops back to pass
during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay
Packers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP
Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)
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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