Kyler Murray has a reported chance to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears, which is a wild twist considering he just suffered an injury in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers. ESPN’s Dan Graziano dropped the news Friday that the Minnesota Vikings quarterback is making moves through concussion protocol, doing “more in practice Thursday than Wednesday.” But here is the thing: if he is cleared, the Vikings now have a *real* decision to make: roll with Murray or stick with Carson Wentz, who just pulled off a ridiculous comeback win.
Murray’s Rocky Start and the QB Depth Chart Shake-Up
Murray was supposed to be the guy, the key offseason addition who won the starting job over J.J. McCarthy. Remember, this is the same Murray who was limited to just five games last season for the Arizona Cardinals, so durability is already a question mark. He barely got started this year, throwing only five passes against the Packers before that head injury sidelined him in the first quarter. You never want to see your new starting QB go down that fast, especially after his previous year. The stakes were already high, and suddenly, the backup was thrust into the spotlight.
Wentz’s Unbelievable Comeback Performance Has Everyone Buzzing
And oh man, did Carson Wentz ever grab that spotlight. He was named the backup over McCarthy, and he absolutely delivered when it mattered most. Trailing Green Bay 22-10 in the third quarter, most teams would be looking at a sure loss. But Wentz directed an *impressive* comeback, leading the Vikings to a stunning 39-22 victory. He completed 12 of his 19 passes for 133 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Seriously, zero picks! The defense helped out too, holding the Packers to just three points after halftime. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell wasn’t shy about his praise, telling reporters, “That’s why he’s here. For him to come in and do what he did and just be part of that calming presence that allowed our team to continue playing, I can’t say enough about him.” That’s high praise for a guy who was just supposed to hold a clipboard.
The Big Decision Looms for the Vikings
Now, the Vikings are in an unenviable position. Having an experienced option like Wentz who played so well in the opener gives them a solid insurance policy. Do they play things safe and use more caution with Murray after his setback, waiting until Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Or do they throw Murray back into the fire against a Chicago Bears defense that looked vulnerable, giving up 59 points in a 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers? The choice between Murray’s potential and Wentz’s proven performance *right now* is a brutal one, and it’s going to set the tone for the Vikings’ early season. Keep your eyes on Sunday, because whoever starts, the pressure is on.
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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