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09/14 17:28 CDT Vikings aren't sure yet if Kyler Murray can play this week with
QB recovering from a concussion
Vikings aren't sure yet if Kyler Murray can play this week with QB recovering
from a concussion
By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Pro Football Writer
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) --- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray began the week
in the NFL concussion protocol, continuing his recovery from an illegal hit to
the head that forced him out of his first game with the team in the first
quarter.
Murray arrived on Monday at Vikings headquarters "feeling pretty good,"
according to coach Kevin O'Connell, but it was far too soon to assess his
chance of playing on Sunday at Chicago.
"We'll defer to the medical folks and that protocol for how the week goes,"
O'Connell said. "We'll just take it a day at a time."
Murray's debut with Minnesota lasted 11 plays. At the end of a third down run
that ended well short of the sticks, Murray had the right side of his helmet
smacked hard by Green Bay safety Javon Bullard's lowered shoulder with the
quarterback already ducking toward the turf to try to avoid contact. Bullard
was penalized for unnecessary roughness, but the Vikings weren't concerned
about further punishment. Murray hadn't initiated a feet-first slide, so he was
a live target.
"It was a violent, physical play," O'Connell said. "But I don't put any fault
on anybody there."
Murray eventually walked off slowly under his own power, but Carson Wentz took
the rest of the afternoon and helped lead the Vikings to a comeback victory by
scoring the last 29 points of the game.
Murray had three of his last four seasons with Arizona cut short by significant
lower-body injuries, a torn ACL in his knee in late 2022 and a mid-foot sprain
in 2025.
As for how long the Vikings are willing to wait this week for Murray to exit
the concussion protocol before determining whether he can start or if Wentz
will, that's not yet clear. Because quarterbacks already wear red non-contact
jerseys, Murray could potentially get significant practice repetitions before
he's fully cleared.
Murray took part in team meetings and video review of the Green Bay game on
Monday.
"We'll just see how he's doing and take it a day at a time and make that
determination when the time comes," O'Connell said.
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