Kyler Murray suffers brutal injury in Vikings debut

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kyler Murray suffers brutal injury in Vikings debut

By Anne Erickson | Last updated Sep 13, 2026 5:32 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is off to a difficult start with the team, as he was forced to exit the season opener against the Green Bay Packers after getting injured.

Murray took a hard hit in the first quarter of the season opener. On 3rd-and-6, Murray slid short of the line but was hit in the head by Javon Bullard.

Murray stayed down on the ground, and the Vikings' medical personnel treated him. He was finally able to get up and walk off the field, but he headed right into the locker room.

Minutes after the incident, the Vikings announced that Murray was being evaluated for a concussion. They added that the player's "return is questionable."

The team later announced that it had ruled Murray out of the game with a concussion.

QB Kyler Murray has been ruled out with a concussion.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 13, 2026

Carson Wentz took over for Kyler Murray

Vikings backup quarterback Carson Wentz came into the game for the Vikings. If that doesn't work out, J.J. McCarthy is the team's third quarterback.

The Vikings signed Murray in free agency after his stint with the Arizona Cardinals. He played five games with the team before getting injured, clocking 962 passing yards, six passing touchdowns and 173 rushing yards.

As for coming back from the concussion, according to the NFL's official rules, "Every NFL player diagnosed with a concussion must follow a five-step process before being cleared to fully practice or participate in an NFL game. This process, developed from internationally accepted guidelines, ensures that each player receives consistent treatment."

Murray could be back in as early as six days, but time will tell when he's cleared.

Anne Erickson

Anne Erickson is an award-winning news reporter covering the NFL, NBA, college sports and more for Yardbarker. Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and other sports, and her work has been published by Fox Sports, ESPN and Newsweek, among others. She has also interviewed a bevy of big names in sports and entertainment, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Lions edge Aidan Hutchinson and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott

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