Murray entered the NFL’s concussion protocol after taking a hard hit during his Vikings debut and was unable to return to the game. Although he provided some encouraging signs during the week and was able to participate on a limited basis in practice, Minnesota ultimately decided not to rush its new starting quarterback back onto the field.

The decision means Carson Wentz will get another opportunity to lead the Vikings’ offense after stepping in for Murray in Week 1. Wentz helped Minnesota complete a comeback victory over Green Bay, and he will now make his 100th career NFL start against Chicago.

Who will be starting quarterback for Vikings vs Bears?

Carson Wentz will be the starting quarterback for the Vikings against the Bears. The veteran took over after Murray’s concussion in Week 1 and delivered a strong performance, throwing three touchdown passes while helping Minnesota overcome a significant deficit against Green Bay.

Wentz’s experience gives the Vikings a proven option while Murray continues his recovery. Minnesota had taken a cautious approach throughout the week, relying on the medical staff to determine whether Murray was ready to advance through the concussion protocol rather than allowing the positive signs from his limited practices to dictate the decision.

J.J. McCarthy will serve as the Vikings’ backup quarterback against Chicago. McCarthy was initially expected to be part of the team’s quarterback picture this season, but Wentz’s performance after Murray’s injury now gives him the opportunity to lead the offense in a divisional matchup at Soldier Field.

For Murray, the focus now shifts toward completing the recovery process without taking unnecessary risks. His limited participation earlier in the week showed that there were positive developments, but the Vikings ultimately chose the cautious route and will give their starting quarterback more time before putting him back on the field.

The Vikings are taking a cautious approach with their starting quarterback and are allowing the medical staff to guide the process. Head coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear that Minnesota is evaluating Murray one step at a time rather than making an early decision about whether he will be ready for Sunday’s game.

There is also some reason for optimism. Murray entered the season as the Vikings’ starting quarterback after winning the job, meaning he accumulated plenty of practice repetitions with the offense before the injury. That experience could be valuable if he is eventually cleared to return against Chicago.

Kevin O’Connell explains Kyler Murray’s progress

Kevin O’Connell was asked about Kyler Murray’s current status and explained that the quarterback remains in the concussion protocol. The Vikings coach emphasized that the medical team will continue to determine how the situation develops while the team evaluates Murray’s limited participation.

“He’s working through the protocol. We’ll see how he responds and continue to rely on the medical folks in that regard. The good thing is the amount of reps he got from competing and then being named the starter. He’s got a lot of reps logged away. We’re really taking it period by period as far as the plan we have, but we want to be monitoring how he’s doing from a standpoint of that limited participation. It’s a little bit more of a vague thing at the QB position just because they’re in red jerseys anyway. So, we’ll kind of just deal with it as it comes to us.”

That last point is particularly relevant because quarterback participation can be difficult to evaluate during a limited practice. With quarterbacks wearing non-contact jerseys, simply seeing Murray on the field does not necessarily reveal how close he is to being fully ready for game action.

For now, Minnesota is therefore taking a measured approach. Murray’s response to each practice session will matter, while the medical staff will ultimately determine whether he can advance through the concussion protocol.

Kyler Murray’s status for Vikings vs Bears

The Vikings still have several days to determine whether Kyler Murray can be cleared for Sunday. His limited participation has at least kept the possibility of a return open, but O’Connell’s comments show that Minnesota is not treating his practice appearance as confirmation that he will play.

The fact that Murray already has extensive repetitions with the starting offense could help the Vikings if he is cleared. He spent the offseason competing for the starting job and had already built familiarity with the offense and his teammates before the concussion interrupted his debut.

If Murray cannot return, Carson Wentz would remain the alternative after taking over against Green Bay. But for now, the Vikings are continuing to monitor their starting quarterback period by period and waiting to see how his body responds as he moves through the concussion protocol.

The Vikings quarterback was forced out of Sunday’s season opener after taking a hard hit to the head while running with the football. Murray was unable to return to the game, with Carson Wentz taking over and helping Minnesota finish the comeback victory over Green Bay.

Now, however, Murray has taken an important step in his recovery. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport explained that the quarterback’s limited participation means he still has a legitimate chance to be cleared in time for Sunday’s matchup against the Bears, assuming his progress continues.

Will Kyler Murray play for Vikings vs Bears?

Ian Rapoport emphasized that Kyler Murray’s availability will ultimately be determined by the NFL’s concussion protocol, but his return to the practice field is an encouraging development for the Vikings.

“As far as Kyler Murray goes, we will see if the Minnesota Vikings end up having their starting quarterback, but the fact that Murray was a limited participant in practice means, based on the NFL’s concussion protocol which will be the determining factor here, that he at least has a chance to play on Sunday if he continues to progress as he has been.”

That distinction is important because Murray still needs to complete the necessary steps before he can be cleared to play. The Vikings cannot simply decide to put him on the field if he has not received the required medical clearance, meaning the quarterback’s progress over the next few days will be crucial.

Still, Wednesday’s participation represents a meaningful development after Murray initially appeared likely to miss the matchup with the Bears. The Vikings have not ruled him out, and his status will continue to be monitored throughout the week.

Who is Vikings backup QB?

Kyler Murray’s potential return would be significant for Minnesota after he finally made his Vikings debut against Green Bay. His first game with the team ended after only 11 offensive snaps, leaving Carson Wentz to handle the remainder of the afternoon and giving the veteran quarterback valuable experience with the offense.

For now, Wentz remains the obvious alternative if Murray cannot complete the concussion protocol in time. But the fact that Murray was able to participate on a limited basis gives Minnesota another option heading into a difficult road matchup at Soldier Field.

LaFleur and Stenavich were not aligned regarding whether tight end Tucker Kraft was available for short-yardage sneaks, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “Yesterday Matt LaFleur said the Tucker Kraft sneak wasn’t off the table because it was his first game back from the ACL,” Schneidman wrote on X. “Adam Stenavich just said it was off the table because of that. Stenavich said ideally the Kraft sneak is the play there.”

The Packers turned a 12-point lead into a 17-point loss, allowing 29 consecutive points in the second half of their 39-22 defeat against their NFC North rivals, who played without starting quarterback Kyler Murray.

Where LaFleur and Stenavich were out of sync

The collapse began early in the fourth quarter when head coach Matt LaFleur decided to pass on a field goal – following a Vikings penalty – to go for it on fourth-and-1 deep in Minnesota territory.

The kick would have given the Packers a three-point lead. Instead, a short-yardage rush attempt by quarterback Jordan Love was stopped, and the Vikings capitalized on the momentum shift to take control of the game. The Packers like to use tight end Tucker Kraft as a quarterback in QB sneak situations, but they opted against it in the standout pass-catcher’s first game back from a torn ACL.

In recent years, it has become common for teams to utilize their tight ends in QB sneak situations, and that appears to be the plan in Green Bay once the Packers feel comfortable using Kraft following his injury. Doing so on Sunday might have been enough to prevent the Vikings’ comeback and secure an NFL Week 1 victory.

The Packers will have to get back on track with a Week 2 clash against the New York Jets, who are surprisingly off to a 1-0 start after taking down the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The team will look to bounce back from the poor start while awaiting Kyler Murray’s return.

“He came in feeling, you know, pretty good today. He is in the protocol so we’ll, you know, we’ll defer to the medical folks in that protocol for how the week goes,” the head coach said. “Just take it a day at a time.”

Next Sunday, the Vikings will face another important divisional matchup, traveling to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. If Murray is unable to play from the start, Carson Wentz will take over the reins of the team in the Windy City.

Wentz rose to the occasion

Carson Wentz stepped up big for Minnesota in their Week 1 victory over the Packers, coming off the bench early in the first quarter after Kyler Murray suffered a concussion. The 11-year veteran rallied the Vikings from a 12-point deficit to score 29 unanswered points in a 39–22 win, completing 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions (123.5 passer rating).

While he had a couple of shaky throws early on, Wentz quickly settled in under Kevin O’Connell, locking in with Justin Jefferson for two scores (plus a key two-point conversion) and finding T.J. Hockenson for another to keep the offense moving cleanly down the stretch.

Vikings look to keep rolling

Following their Week 2 trip to Chicago, the Vikings head to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Week 3. They return home to Minneapolis in Week 4 to host the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium, then travel to New Orleans for a Week 5 matchup against the Saints at the Caesars Superdome. After a Week 6 bye, Minnesota closes out this four-game stretch in Week 7 back at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Indianapolis Colts.

As a result of the injury, backup quarterback Carson Wentz has taken over against the Green Bay Packers. Even though he was initially deemed inactive, J.J. McCarthy could be next in line as he is the Vikings’ emergency quarterback. He can only step onto the field if something happens to Wentz.

Murray was able to walk off the field and head to the locker room. Although that’s an encouraging sign, it wasn’t enough to wave the victory flag and disregard a serious injury in the 2026 NFL‘s season-opener. After being evaluated for a concussion, the test results confirmed that fear.

“QB Kyler Murray has been ruled out with a concussion,” the Vikings announced through their official social media.

Vikings in trouble in Week 1

This is the reality of the NFL. Just one week into the season, it’s showing all of its true colors. Although the team always knew it was in for a challenging year, Minnesota waited months for football to be back, only to potentially lose its starting quarterback just one quarter into the season.

Fortunately for the Vikings, Wentz has plenty of experience under his belt and could provide a softer landing spot for them. It’s far from ideal, but they could be in an even worse position. The other option, McCarthy, is coming off a tumultuous year in 2025, and many believe his train has already left the station in the Twin Cities.

Murray’s rough start

Even before he got hurt in a very scary play, Murray’s start to his Vikings career was far from pretty. In fact, his first pass at U.S. Bank Stadium was picked off. In his injury-shortened debut in Minnesota, Murray only threw three passes for 18 yards and an interception before leaving the game. He’s now been ruled out. The bleak stat line will haunt the former No. 1 overall pick from 2019, but it’s all minuscule compared to the medical side of things.

Parsons tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee during a Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos in December 2025. The injury ended his season and forced him into a lengthy rehabilitation process, with the Packers taking a cautious approach as they wait for their defensive centerpiece to fully recover.

Green Bay placed Parsons on the reserve/PUP list before the start of the regular season, meaning he is unavailable for the opening portion of the schedule. His absence is a major blow for the Packers’ defense, particularly against a Vikings offense that will not have to deal with one of the NFL’s most disruptive pass rushers in Week 1.

When will Micah Parsons return from injury with Packers?

Micah Parsons will miss at least the first four games of the season because of his placement on the reserve/PUP list. The earliest possible return would therefore come in Week 5, but the Packers have been careful not to put unnecessary pressure on his recovery after such a significant knee injury.

The more realistic target has been a return around mid-October. Parsons previously indicated that his recovery timeline pointed toward that period, and recent updates have continued to suggest that October is the key window for his comeback. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has also indicated that the team expects to have a much better idea of Parsons’ readiness once the initial four-game window is over.

That could put Parsons in position to return around Week 5 or shortly afterward, depending on how his knee responds as he advances through rehabilitation. For now, though, the Packers will have to move forward without their biggest defensive star, knowing that rushing him back would make little sense when the ultimate goal is to have Parsons healthy for the most important part of the season.

Jacobs recently pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May incident. Although his legal case has moved forward, the NFL has not yet announced an official suspension. For now, his status remains unchanged, meaning the Packers must begin the season without one of their most important offensive players.

The timing creates an immediate challenge for Green Bay. Jacobs was expected to be a major part of the Packers’ offensive attack, but his absence against the Vikings means the team will have to rely on its other running backs while the league determines what disciplinary action, if any, Jacobs will ultimately receive.

Is Josh Jacobs suspended with Packers?

Josh Jacobs has not received an official suspension from the NFL. Instead, he remains on the Commissioner Exempt List, a separate status that prevents him from playing while the league continues its review of his legal situation. The NFL recently said there is no timetable for when Jacobs will be disciplined, leaving his return date uncertain.

The possibility of a suspension remains very real, however, and the expectation around the league has been that Jacobs could face multiple games once the NFL completes its investigation.

A suspension of six games has emerged as a possible scenario, although the final number could be different once the league makes its decision. Time spent on the Commissioner Exempt List could potentially be considered when determining how much of any eventual suspension remains to be served, but that should not be treated as confirmed until the NFL announces its ruling.

Under that scenario, this Week 1 matchup against the Vikings could eventually be viewed as the first game Jacobs has missed toward a potential six-game punishment. For now, though, the Packers cannot count on that outcome. Jacobs remains unavailable, and Green Bay will have to wait for the NFL to determine whether his time on the exempt list affects any future suspension before knowing when its star running back can return.

Jacobs was the workhorse of this offense. This means that the Packers haven’t really explored much of their other options, especially since last year’s backup was Emmanuel Wilson, who is no longer on the team.

This indicates that it will be a full new-look running game for Matt LaFleur‘s team. Considering that the Vikings have a top-tier defensive coordinator in Brian Flores, this will be a tough test for the Packers.

Packers Week 1 RB depth chart

MarShawn Lloyd will finally get a chance to shine in the NFL. He has only played 10 regular-season snaps as he’s been sidelined due to a variety of injuries in his first two years in the NFL. The Packers also traded for Kaleb Johnson, who wasn’t able to impress with the Steelers. Chris Brooks is also on the roster.

1. MarShawn Lloyd
2. Chris Brooks
3. Kaleb Johnson

The running game is key for LaFleur’s scheme to work

Matt LaFleur’s offense relies on the running game as its foundational engine to control the clock, keep defenses guessing, and unlock the rest of the playbook. LaFleur comes from a coaching tree that heavily features outside zone runs, pre-snap motion, and jet sweeps to stretch the field horizontally.

When the run game works, linebackers and safeties step toward the line of scrimmage. This movement creates open windows down the field for the quarterback to exploit in play-action, where Jordan Love shines. Hence, Lloyd, Brooks, and Johnson must deliver for the offense to work.

So, what is the main reason behind this decision? According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, O’Connell believes this gives the Vikings a better chance of coming away with a win at U.S. Bank Stadium. The head coach also made it clear that things could change, as the backup spot will be a week-to-week decision.

With that in mind, everything appears to be set in Minnesota for the start of a new season, one in which they will look to improve upon their 2025 results. As the weeks go by, it will be a matter of seeing whether McCarthy can eventually take on a more prominent role on the team.

O’Connell saw plenty during the preseason

The quarterback competition during the Vikings‘ 2026 preseason came down to dynamic efficiency versus young, developmental snaps, with Carson Wentz delivering an ultra-clean 9-for-11 passing performance for 92 yards in his main showcase against the Baltimore Ravens . On the other side, McCarthy had a mixed outing, going 4-for-7 for 30 yards while adding an 8-yard scramble.

Ultimately, Kevin O’Connell leaned on Wentz’s decade of NFL experience and steady decision-making in the pocket, opting for his composure under pressure, quick processing of complex defensive looks, and proven ability to protect the football as the decisive factors in earning the backup nod over McCarthy’s raw upside.

Looking to take control of the NFC North

In 2025, Vikings fans watched their team miss out on the postseason despite finishing with a winning 9–8 record and a five-game winning streak. Now, if they want to take control of the NFC North, they will need to get off to a strong start and look to rack up as many wins as possible early in the season.

• vs Green Bay Packers, September 13 – Week 1
• at Chicago Bears, September 20 – Week 2
• at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, September 27 – Week 3
• vs Miami Dolphins, October 4 – Week 4
• at New Orleans Saints, October 11 – Week 5

According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, executives around the league have been telling him for weeks that McCarthy is unlikely to remain with the Vikings long-term.

With Week 1 approaching, a trade could still materialize before Minnesota takes the field. McCarthy’s current trade value is reportedly low because of an ankle injury, but that has not eliminated the possibility of a deal.

Vikings could still trade J.J. McCarthy before Week 1

Jason La Canfora reported that the Minnesota Vikings remain one of the teams to watch in the final days before the regular season, despite J.J. McCarthy surviving the roster deadline.

“Minnesota is another team to watch ahead of week 1, as executives around the NFL have informed me for weeks that former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy is unlikely to remain with the Vikings long-term. Despite McCarthy’s current trade value being considered low as he deals with an ankle injury, a move away from Minnesota could still come ahead of Week 1.”

The situation is particularly intriguing because McCarthy was once viewed as the quarterback who would eventually take over the franchise. Minnesota selected him No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but injuries and inconsistent play have prevented him from establishing himself as the team’s long-term answer.

The Vikings have since added Kyler Murray, who won the starting job, while veteran Carson Wentz has emerged as the favorite for the backup role. That leaves McCarthy in an uncertain position heading into the regular season.

Vikings could seek conditional compensation in J.J. McCarthy trade

If Minnesota does decide to move J.J. McCarthy, La Canfora believes the Vikings could structure the deal in a way that gives them an opportunity to receive additional compensation down the road.

“As part of any finalized deal, the Vikings are also expected to seek a conditional element in any deal that would increase their compensation, should McCarthy go on to play for his new team.”