Vikings confirm Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz decision for Buccaneers game after report

A Monday report claimed that Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell would turn back to Week 1 starting quarterback Kyler Murray for the Vikings' Week 3 game at the 0-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 27, as long as Murray was able to clear the concussion protocol this week.

While speaking with reporters on Monday afternoon, O'Connell confirmed that Carson Wentz has once again been relegated to backup duties. 

Kyler Murray returns to the QB1 spot on the depth chart

Per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, O'Connell revealed on Monday that Murray has cleared the concussion protocol and is on track to start Minnesota's game at the Buccaneers. 

Murray completed just three of five pass attempts for 18 yards with an interception before he was knocked out of Minnesota's Week 1 game against the rival Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13. In his relief appearance that Sunday afternoon, Wentz completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns en route to leading the Vikings to a 39-22 win.

However, Wentz endured a more difficult afternoon versus the Chicago Bears on Sunday. While the Vikings earned a 9-3 victory over Chicago to improve to 2-0, Wentz went 11-of-20 passing for 143 yards at Soldier Field. He failed to guide the club on a single touchdown drive against the Bears, but Minnesota's Will Reichard made all three of his field-goal attempts in windy and rainy conditions. 

"Kyler has cleared the final phase of the protocol," O'Connell said on Monday. "He’s doing great, he’ll be cleared, and he will start this week against Tampa Bay." 

Will Kyler Murray remain the Vikings starter beyond Week 3? 

Murray had a worrisome injury history before his latest setback, so it's possible that O'Connell may have to turn back to Wentz at some point. Additionally, the fact that Murray signed a league-minimum deal with the Vikings during the offseason means that O'Connell has no financial reason to stick with the former Arizona Cardinals starter if he struggles.

Shortly after O'Connell shared his update, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Vikings as 2.5-point road favorites over the winless Buccaneers. It remains to be seen if Murray will still be Minnesota's starter for the club's Week 4 home game versus the Miami Dolphins (0-2) on Oct. 4.