The Minnesota Vikings, fresh off a big road victory in Chicago that pushed them to 2-0, are expecting more players to return this week. Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters that quarterback Kyler Murray should clear concussion protocol early in the week and is slated to start in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Murray suffered the concussion in Week 1 while sliding on a first-quarter scramble after taking a blow to the head; he was evaluated on the field but ultimately walked off under his own power. He practiced in a limited fashion last week and now appears ready to be activated.
In Murray’s absence, backup Carson Wentz stepped in and helped secure the comeback win over Green Bay before guiding the team to Sunday’s victory in Chicago. While running back Jordan Mason remains sidelined following thumb surgery, getting Murray back gives Minnesota its starting quarterback and a big boost to the offense as they try to build on their strong start.
With two division wins already, the Vikings are well-positioned to make some noise this season now that their offense is trending toward full strength.
Fan Take: Murray’s return matters because it restores the Vikings’ top playmaker and could immediately raise their ceiling against tougher opponents. It’s also a reminder of how crucial concussion management is — teams and fans will be watching closely how quickly star players are cleared and reintegrated.
Source: www.foxsports.com
