Kyler Murray’s Grade 2 hamstring strain is officially keeping him sidelined for at least Monday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, and it could stretch out even further. This isn’t just a quick benching; multiple medical opinions confirmed the risk of him playing this week wasn’t worth it, especially with the chance of making the injury worse or him changing his game.
The Lingering Questions Around Murray’s Return
Murray’s Grade 2 hamstring means he’s out for at least Week 9’s Monday Night Football game versus the Bills. But hold up, Tom Pelissero from *The Ringer* dropped the real kicker: this isn’t just a one-off. That Grade 2 strain could keep him out past this week, meaning backup Carson Wentz isn’t just a temporary fill-in.
Turns out, Murray got a ton of medical advice after that Week 8 loss to the Detroit Lions. The Vikings brass decided risking it just wasn’t worth it, whether it was making the hamstring even worse or forcing Murray to play a style he’s not used to. So, Wentz gets the nod against Buffalo.
And get this: Pelissero also hinted that how Wentz performs against the Bills might actually dictate how patient the Vikings can be with Murray’s rehab. If Wentz goes off, it makes it “easier” to let Murray heal up properly. It’s a wild card, for sure.
Remember that Week 8 loss to the Lions? Head Coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters then that Murray was dealing with hamstring soreness and undergoing a “full eval.” He didn’t think Murray would miss the Bills game at first. Well, that changed quick.
A Bumpy Ride for the Vikings QB, Despite the Wins
Let’s be real, Murray’s first season in Minnesota has been a rocky one. Even with the Vikings sitting pretty at 6-1, their record has been propped up largely by their defense and special teams. Murray’s passing offense hasn’t exactly been igniting the league.
His numbers tell part of the story: 1,022 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. Not exactly eye-popping stuff. And it’s not his first time missing action this year either. He got a concussion way back in Week 1, missing that Week 2 win against the Chicago Bears. Yep, Wentz was under center for that one too.
Coach O’Connell even spoke after the Lions game about the struggles, noting how Murray missed connecting with “superstar wideout Justin Jefferson on a number of potential big plays.” He talked about “continuing to build that rapport of the plans, the comfort level,” and getting “input from him on things he likes.” The goal is to “carve it and make it even cleaner and better for him” so they can get “comfort where he’ll throw things with anticipation.” Sounds like there’s still a lot of work to do on that chemistry.
The Vikings just took their first L of the season against Detroit. Now they’ve gotta bounce back, without their starting QB, at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday Night Football. So, Monday night, the Vikings are back at U.S. Bank Stadium, hosting the Bills under the lights. It’s Carson Wentz’s show for now, and how he performs could really set the tone for Kyler Murray’s ultimate return. This 6-1 team is facing a big test without its starting signal-caller, and everyone will be watching to see how they respond.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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