Vikings rule out Kyler Murray; Carson Wentz to start vs. Bills
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings ruled out quarterback Kyler Murray for Monday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills and will start veteran Carson Wentz, the team announced Thursday. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Murray will be “week-to-week” with a hamstring strain and will not be available for the Week 9 game, so Wentz will make his 101st career start and be backed up by Max Brosmer. Murray and safety Theo Jackson did not participate in Thursday’s practice, the club reported.
A number of Vikings players were limited in practice Thursday, including running back Demond Claiborne (knee), tackle Christian Darrisaw (shoulder), linebacker Jake Golday (calf), receiver Jauan Jennings (calf), cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (ankle), outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (chest) and safety Jay Ward (knee). The team said it will conduct additional practices Friday and Saturday and provide game-status designations on Saturday. A Nov. 6 update indicated Darrisaw, Rodgers and Golday improved to full participation on Friday, while Jennings and Claiborne did not practice and Jackson remained sidelined; Van Ginkel and Ward were limited for a second straight day.
The Vikings’ release also included the Buffalo Bills’ practice report, which showed a mixed set of statuses for the home team. Cornerback Dee Alford and linebacker Joe Andreessen were listed as full participants, while several players including offensive lineman Alec Anderson, tackle Dion Dawkins, defensive lineman Greg Gaines and receiver Joshua Palmer did not participate. Tight end Dalton Kincaid and receiver D.J. Moore were limited in practice, and multiple depth players had varying designations heading into the Week 9 Monday night matchup.
Minnesota returned to practice Thursday in advance of the Monday night meeting that will close Week 9, with open sessions scheduled Friday and Saturday. The club will announce each player’s game-day status following Saturday’s practice, per the team. With Murray out of the lineup, Wentz’s start gives Minnesota a veteran presence under center against a Bills defense that had several key linemen limited or absent in practice.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The confirmed absence of Kyler Murray clears the path for Carson Wentz to lead the Vikings’ offense Monday night, a notable development given Wentz will be making his 101st career start. The club’s reports that Christian Darrisaw, Isaiah Rodgers and Jake Golday returned to full participation on Friday are encouraging for Minnesota’s front and secondary depth. Still, the team will need clarity on Demond Claiborne, Jauan Jennings and Theo Jackson following Saturday’s designations, as their statuses will influence offensive and defensive rotations. Opposing Buffalo showed its own practice limitations, which could affect the Bills’ front availability and factor into Minnesota’s game planning for Week 9.