Vikings to Start Carson Wentz vs. Bills Monday Night as Kyler Murray Suffers Hamstring Injury

Murray was injured early in the fourth quarter of the Week 8 loss in Detroit. O’Connell said the team is not considering placing Murray on injured reserve and characterized the injury as week-to-week, but cautioned that Murray’s movement skills create a risk of a more significant injury if he attempts to play through the strain.

Murray’s injury came on read-option play against Lions

Murray suffered the hamstring strain while running on a read-option play early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 19-15 defeat to the Detroit Lions. He also struggled to connect with open receivers throughout the game, a performance that left receiver Justin Jefferson frustrated enough to decline speaking with reporters afterward, ESPN reported.

Vikings make 14th quarterback change since 2023

The switch to Wentz marks the 14th time the Vikings have changed quarterbacks during a season — whether because of injuries or performance reasons — since Kirk Cousins tore his right Achilles tendon midway through the 2023 season.

How Wentz has produced with Jefferson

Since signing with the Vikings in August 2025, Wentz has started six games and played most of a seventh. The team is 4-3 in those contests, with Wentz completing 63.9% of his passes for 1,492 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also connected frequently with Jefferson, who caught 44 passes for 615 yards and two touchdowns in those seven games.

“I’ve enjoyed being here,” Wentz said, according to ESPN. “I enjoy this offense, enjoy this team, enjoy working with [O’Connell] and I’m excited for another opportunity.”

O’Connell calls Wentz the right fit for this week

O’Connell said Wentz is “the perfect guy in a moment where you can’t have Kyler out there at full strength to go in there,” adding that the team feels strongly it will get effective quarterback play with Wentz under center. The coach also said that Murray would remain the starter this week if he were healthy, and when asked Thursday whether Wentz could earn additional starts based on performance independent of Murray’s health, O’Connell replied, “It’s all about this week for our team.”

Hamstring strain limits Murray’s game influence

Murray missed most of two games earlier this season because of a concussion. His QBR of 44.7 ranks 26th among 30 qualified quarterbacks as he plays on a one-year contract. O’Connell explained that the hamstring affects more than Murray’s ability to run, impacting the explosive, quick-twitch movements required to influence the game. “Running is obviously a part of some of that … but it’s more of just the overall ability to impact the game,” O’Connell said.

Questions about the Vikings’ quarterback switch

When will Kyler Murray return? O’Connell described the injury as week-to-week and said placing Murray on injured reserve is not a consideration, but he did not provide a specific return date.

Can Carson Wentz keep the starting job beyond Monday? O’Connell declined to commit to a timeline, saying only that “it’s all about this week for our team” when asked whether Wentz could earn more starts based on his performance.

What is Murray’s contract status? Murray is playing on a one-year contract and currently ranks 26th of 30 qualified quarterbacks in QBR at 44.7.

The Vikings will face the Buffalo Bills on Monday night with Wentz taking the opening snap.

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