Kyler Murray’s debut for the Minnesota Vikings had a frightening twist. The former No. 1 overall pick was forced out of the game after just 11 plays in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., with an apparent head injury.
Murray was knocked to the ground after absorbing a big hit to the head from Green Bay defensve back Javon Bullard.
The Oklahoma Sooners product was later put on the NFL’s concussion protocol, but for what it’s worth, he seemed fine in the locker room based on an observation made by Kevin Seifert of ESPN.
The 29-year-old Murray “was chatting with teammates and coaches” in the locker room following the game, Seifert reported.
Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell further allayed fears of a serious injury with his postgame comments, albeit without providing a significant medical update on the quarterback.
“I don’t have a lot to update,” O’Connell said, “other than I did just see him and he seemed to be doing pretty well.”
As for the game, the Vikings got the job done and thwarted the Packers despite missing Murray the rest of the way.
Carson Wentz stepped up in lieu of Murray and went 12/19 for 133 passing yards and three touchdowns without a turnover, as Minnesota used a torrid 22-0 run in the fourth quarter for a 39-22 victory.
For now, Wentz can be viewed as Minnesota’s Week 2 starter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill.
