Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray was knocked down during a game against the Green Bay Packers. The play came with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter of Minnesota’s season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium. It was only Murray’s 11th snap in his first regular-season game with the Vikings. The injury occurred when Packers safety Javon Bullard made contact with Murray while he was sliding on the ground. Packers edge rusher Lukas Van Ness also made contact with Murray’s helmet on the play. Bullard was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness, which extended Minnesota’s drive.
Murray scrambled out of the pocket during the Vikings' second possession, attempting to gain yardage before sliding. He came up short of the first-down marker before the hit. His helmet came off instantly after the hit, and he appeared disoriented. Murray remained on the turf for several moments as trainers came onto the field. The team medical staff checked on him after the play, and he walked off the field on his own. He then went to the locker room for further evaluation.
Murray was evaluated for a concussion following the incident, in line with NFL protocol. The Vikings later announced that he had suffered a concussion and would not return to the game. Under NFL rules, a player who receives a blow to the head enters concussion protocol if he exhibits or reports signs or symptoms or if an authorized medical or game official initiates the protocol. This includes situations where symptoms of a concussion are observed or reported by the player. If a player shows signs like loss of consciousness, confusion, or memory issues, they are not allowed to return to the game.
The NFL requires any player evaluated for a concussion on game day to receive another medical evaluation the following day. A player diagnosed with a concussion must also complete the league’s five-step return-to-participation process before being cleared for full practice or a game. There is no fixed timetable for completing that process.
Murray was taken back to the sideline for a medical evaluation before being sent to the locker room. There, he underwent the NFL Locker Room Comprehensive Concussion Assessment and a neurological exam. The assessment includes checks of symptoms, memory, concentration, balance and neurological function.
Backup quarterback Carson Wentz replaced Murray in the game after his exit. Wentz led the Vikings to their first points of the game with a 38-yard field goal. He completed one of three passes on that drive before Will Reichard made the kick.
Wentz stayed in the game after Murray was ruled out and helped Minnesota rally from a 22-10 deficit. The Vikings scored the final 29 points and defeated Green Bay 39-22. Wentz completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those touchdown passes went to Justin Jefferson and another went to T.J. Hockenson. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason also scored rushing touchdowns for Minnesota.
Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz was named the No. 2 quarterback last week for Minnesota. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said before the opener that the backup role would be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. J.J. McCarthy, the team's primary 2025 starter, is listed as the emergency No. 3 quarterback. McCarthy started 10 games for Minnesota last season and finished with a 6-4 record. He threw for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2025.
McCarthy can only play if both Murray and Wentz are unavailable because of injury or disqualification. The emergency quarterback rule does not allow a team to use its third quarterback simply because the first two quarterbacks are benched for poor play. The rule does allow the emergency quarterback to enter if one active quarterback is already unavailable and the other is being evaluated for an injury.
The incident has raised questions about the Vikings' quarterback depth and how the team will manage its signal-caller situation. Those questions became less urgent on Sunday because Wentz delivered a strong relief performance. They could return quickly if Murray is not cleared in time for Minnesota’s Week 2 game at Chicago. The Vikings are scheduled to face the Bears on Sept. 20.
O’Connell said after the win that he did not have a firm medical update on Murray. He said Murray appeared to be doing well but stressed that the team would take the situation day by day.
Murray joined Minnesota after spending seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona released him in March after his 2025 season ended early because of a foot injury. The former No. 1 overall draft pick had started 87 games for Arizona before joining Minnesota.
His first pass as a Viking was intercepted, and he finished his brief debut 3 of 5 for 18 yards with one interception. The injury quickly overshadowed those early struggles as attention shifted to his health. Wentz then turned what had started as a difficult afternoon for Minnesota into a season-opening division victory.