If you’re wondering what happened to Kyler Murray during the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers, the star quarterback exited early after suffering a concussion.
| Quick Answer Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in the first quarter of the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers on 13th September 2026. He was hit hard while sliding and was ruled out for the rest of the game. There’s no set timetable for his return, but players recovering from a first concussion typically miss around one to three weeks under the NFL’s concussion protocol. |
It has been a difficult week for one of the NFL’s most popular new free agents. Quarterback Kyler Murray, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year contract in March 2022 after playing seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, did not survive the first quarter of his team’s game this past Sunday. Thousands of people searched “what happened to Kyler Murray” on social media within hours of the star athlete’s injury. Here’s everything that happened to Kyler Murray, explained simply.
What Happened to Kyler Murray?
The injury occurred during the Vikings’ Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Murray stumbled while scrambling out of the pocket on a third-down play and began to slide to the ground to avoid contact, a common maneuver by quarterbacks to avoid injury. It was not enough to keep him from being injured.
As Murray slid, Packers pass rusher Lukas Van Ness made contact with his helmet and safety Javon Bullard followed up by hitting him in the neck and shoulder area. The blow knocked Murray’s helmet clean off. He remained on the ground for several minutes before ultimately rising to his feet on his own and walking straight to the locker room, bypassing the sidelines medical tent altogether. Bullard was called for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty.
Shortly afterwards, the Vikings confirmed that Murray had entered the NFL’s concussion protocol and would not return to the game.
How Did Murray Perform Before the Injury?
Murry was supposed to make his debut for a new team, and it figured to be a big one considering it was his first appearance for a new club in almost a decade. Before he was hurt, he had completed three of five passes for about 19 yards and had an interception on his first career play under pressure. He added nine rushing yards on two carries. Not exactly what Minnesota was hoping for, and it only got better from there.
What Is the NFL Concussion Protocol, and Why Does It Matter?
If you’re unfamiliar with American football’s injury regulations, the concussion protocol is a process of medical evaluations that a player must go through before being cleared to return to the field. It is a decision not up to the coach or the players, but instead independent, league-appointed physicians. A player must go through a series of steps, including periods of restricted activity and gradually increasing levels of contact, before fully recovering.A player must go through a series of steps, including periods of restricted activity, under the official NFL Concussion Protocol Guidelines
before being cleared to return to full-contact activity.
It’s a process that was necessitated by neurological injuries on the field, which have had lasting negative impacts on players’ health, and which the league is now much more conscientious of than it was previously. This is great for the players’ wellbeing, but it also means that there’s no real way to tell what will happen in the future for Murray, aside from waiting for him to go through the process.
When Could Kyler Murray Return?
There is no specific timetable for Murray’s return, at least not yet. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game that Murray “seemed to be doing pretty well,” but he was careful not to make any medical proclamations.
As a general guideline, most players going through their first documented concussion miss between one and three weeks of action with two being the most frequent. This would suggest a return sometime in weeks three of four. But just as easily could clear protocol in earlier weeks or have to spend more time out of the lineup. It’s all situational and has to be taken on a case by case basis.
Who’s Playing Quarterback for the Vikings Now?
With Murray out, veteran QB Carson Wentz has taken control as Minnesota’s starter. Wentz, who was named the team’s official backup ahead of rookie J.J. McCarthy going into the season, guided the Vikings to a solid 39-22 win over the Packers. McCarthy was inactive as the emergency third-string quarterback for the game, meaning he would only play if Wentz were to go down.
It’s not the first time this has happened for Minnesota. The Vikings have had Wentz start games for them before when injuries plagued the quarterback room, and have relied on his experience in the past.
Kyler Murray’s Injury History
This is not the first time it was injured, he tore his ACL in December 2022, that kept him out of action at the beginning of the next season, and it took him a long time to recover. Besides his ACL Murray also has had problems with his hamstrings in previous seasons. It may have nothing to do with the concussion he has suffered recently, but the fact that it has happened shows that people are concerned about his health.
Key Takeaways
- Kyler Murray suffered a concussion after a hard hit while sliding during the Vikings’ Week 1 game against the Packers
- He was ruled out for the rest of the game and entered the NFL’s concussion protocol
- There’s no confirmed return date, but one to three weeks is the typical recovery window
- Carson Wentz has taken over as Minnesota’s starting quarterback in the meantime
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happened to Kyler Murray?
He was hit in the head and neck area by two Green Bay Packers defenders while sliding during a third-down play in Week 1. He was ruled out with a concussion and did not return to the game.
Is Kyler Murray’s injury serious?
A concussion is always taken seriously in the NFL, but early reports suggest Murray was alert and walking on his own shortly after the hit. His exact recovery time will depend on how he responds to the league’s concussion protocol.
When will Kyler Murray play again?
There’s no official return date yet. Based on typical recovery times for a first concussion, a return within one to three weeks is a reasonable expectation, though the team will not rush him back.
Who is replacing Kyler Murray as the Vikings’ starting quarterback?
Carson Wentz has taken over as the starter while Murray recovers, with rookie J.J. McCarthy as the emergency backup option.
Did Kyler Murray have other injuries before this?
Yes. Murray suffered a torn ACL in December 2022 while playing for the Arizona Cardinals, which sidelined him for several months, and he has also missed games in the past with hamstring problems.
