Kyler Murray’s Difficult Start with the Minnesota Vikings

The beginning of Kyler Murray’s tenure with the Minnesota Vikings has been far from ideal. The team’s new quarterback threw an interception on just the second play of the regular-season opener, marking his first pass in a Vikings uniform.

Playing at home, Murray’s debut was cut short when he was knocked out on the team’s third possession. Signed in the offseason as a key quarterback prospect, Murray did not make it through the first quarter on Sunday. He had to leave the game to undergo a concussion evaluation, being officially listed as questionable to return. Observers, however, noted the severity of the hit clearly signaled the end of his game.

The Vikings ultimately ruled him out of the contest. During a scramble, Murray was hit in the helmet by Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness. As he went down, he suffered another blow from safety Javon Bullard, which struck around his neck and head, causing his helmet to come off. The impact led Murray to display a fencing response posture, where one’s body involuntarily reacts after a head injury.

“He seemed to go into a fencing response position, a sign of the severity of the blow to his head.”

For this, Bullard was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Murray eventually walked off the field and reached the locker room without assistance.

Carson Wentz, Minnesota’s backup, stepped in for Murray. The quarterback will now enter the NFL concussion protocol, where independent doctors will decide when he can safely return. A typical recovery for a first concussion spans approximately two weeks, though timelines can vary from one to three weeks.

For Kyler Murray, his start with the Minnesota Vikings has indeed been challenging.