Vikings QB Kyler Murray Clears Concussion Protocol

Murray cleared the protocol on Monday, per O’Connell. He will reprise his QB1 role in Week 3 as a result. Carson Wentz took over after the concussion Murray suffered during his Minnesota debut in the season opener. Wentz also managed to help guide the team to a 9-3 win yesterday, but he will return to backup duties this week.

Murray was limited to just 11 snaps before exiting the Vikings’ Week 1 win. To no surprise, the progress he made in the early stages of the NFL’s concussion protocol was insufficient to receive clearance for yesterday’s game. Players can return to action one week after suffering a concussion, but they rarely do so.

That always left Week 3 as the most realistic time for Murray to suit up. The former No. 1 pick will do so against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Minnesota will enter that game as one of the league’s remaining undefeated teams in no small part due to the play of defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ unit. The Bucs, meanwhile, fell to 0-2 with a home loss against Cleveland yesterday.

After his Cardinals release, Murray quickly lined up a one-year pact with the Vikings. A competition with J.J. McCarthy which lasted longer than many expected followed, but to no surprise Murray wound up getting the nod for Week 1. McCarthy falling behind Wentz on the depth chart was itself a notable development, and the 2024 first-rounder’s future is far from certain moving forward. That is a moot point for the time being, though, since Murray will be back in the fold for Minnesota’s next contest.