Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 1

Kyler Murray is set to return to the starting lineup.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters in his Monday press conference that Murray has cleared concussion protocol and is on schedule to play in the team’s matchup with the Buccaneers.

“Kyler has cleared the final phase of the protocol,” O’Connell said. “He’s doing great, he’ll be cleared, and he will start this week against Tampa Bay.”

Related players: Carson Wentz

Murray went down early in the Week 1 win over the Packers when he was hit while trying to slide on a scramble. He departed that contest having completed 3-of-5 passes for 18 yards with an interception, the story said. Wentz replaced Murray for the last two weeks and was 11-of-20 for 143 yards in Sunday’s victory over the Bears. Despite leading the team to two wins, Murray will be back as the starter over Wentz, who returns to his backup role.

Kyler Murray has been ruled out against Chicago after failing to clear the concussion protocol. Carson Wentz will start, with J.J. McCarthy serving as Minnesota’s backup.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell expects Murray to clear the protocol next week.

Related Players: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason

Wentz is an emergency Superflex option in a road matchup against Chicago. His presence lowers the ceiling of Minnesota’s passing game, but Jefferson remains a must-start WR1. Addison and Hockenson carry more efficiency risk than usual. The positive outlook for next week suggests Murray may only miss one game.

Demond Claiborne is expected to receive an expanded opportunity while Jordan Mason misses at least four games following thumb surgery. The sixth-round rookie was inactive in Week 1. Minnesota has also promoted DeeJay Dallas to the active roster and added Jerome Ford to the practice squad, so Claiborne’s precise place behind Aaron Jones remains unsettled.

Jones should lead the backfield, but Claiborne is the most interesting longer-term addition because of his speed and receiving ability. He is a deep-league stash rather than a Week 2 starting option. Dallas could initially handle more passing-down and special-teams responsibilities.

RB Jordan Mason underwent surgery on his fractured thumb and has been placed on injured reserve.

Related Players: Aaron Jones, DeeJay Dallas, Jerome Ford, Demond Claiborne

Jones now has the clear path to leading Minnesota’s backfield for at least the next four games. Dallas is the most immediate deep-league addition, although the Vikings could use Ford or add another back rather than giving Dallas a significant rushing workload. Mason can be moved to an IR spot but is unlikely to help fantasy teams before Week 7.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that the Vikings are expected to start Carson Wentz if Kyler Murray cannot clear the concussion protocol before Sunday’s game against Chicago.

J.J. McCarthy could dress as Wentz’s backup in that scenario. Minnesota believes Wentz’s veteran experience gives the offense a better short-notice option, rather than this being a definitive demotion for McCarthy.

Wentz produced three touchdowns after replacing Murray in Week 1 and would be a viable lower-end Superflex starter against Chicago. The report also provides clarity for Jefferson managers: Wentz, not McCarthy, appears positioned to direct the offense if Murray cannot play.

Vikings QB Kyler Murray's status is uncertain because of a concussion, but the play of Carson Wentz sparks optimism.

Wentz came on and rallied the Vikings to a win over the Packers in Week 1. We all know by now that players in protocol tend to miss the following week's game, at least, although there have been a few who have passed in time. Murray owners should probably expect him to miss Week 2 and have a backup plan ready to go. The Vikings are at the Bears in Week 2 in the early slate of games. Wentz threw three TD passes and added 133 yards in the air. The Bears defense gave up some points to the Panthers in Week 1, so Wentz makes for a nice potential fantasy option for owners who need to pick him up off the wire.

Vikings QB Kyler Murray is being evaluated for a concussion.

Update: Murray is now out for the remainder of the game.

Murray took a hard hit about midway through the first quarter as he sliding. Packers cornerback Javon Bullard was flagged for unnecessary roughness as a result. We’ll have more information as it comes in. For now, Carson Wentz is in at quarterback.

Nabers practiced fully Thursday but declined to confirm that he will play Sunday night against Dallas. The receiver said the Giants are leaving the decision to him and emphasized that he will not jeopardize his career if his surgically repaired knee does not feel ready.

Related Players: Isaiah Likely, Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham, Theo Johnson

Nabers’ upside makes him difficult to bench if active, but the Sunday-night kickoff creates quite the contingency problem. Likely is the safest alternative beneficiary across positions, while Fields and Mooney would receive the clearest wide receiver boosts if Nabers sits. Even if Nabers plays, the possibility of a self-imposed pitch count adds volatility to his WR2 projection.

Wide receiver Malik Nabers was on the field with teammates from the beginning of practice and moving well as the New York Giants began practice for Sunday’s season-opening game against the Dallas Cowboys. Neither the Giants nor Nabers have committed to the 2024 first-round pick playing on Sunday. The signs, though, point toward that happening. Nabers practiced all summer with no real hiccups as he worked his way back from two surgeries to repair a torn ACL suffered in Week 4 of the 2025 season.

Related Players: Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham, Isaiah Likely

Everything continues pointing toward Nabers playing against Dallas. His WR22 ranking appropriately accounts for some workload uncertainty following the significant knee injury, but he can be treated as a lower-end WR2 if he avoids a setback. Fields, Mooney and Beckham would all carry considerably less Week 1 usability with Nabers active.

Nabers unexpectedly walked off with a trainer approximately 20 minutes before Wednesday’s practice ended. He had handled a full workload before leaving.

John Harbaugh said the departure was not planned, but Nabers was not included in the trainers’ post-practice injury report. Harbaugh subsequently stated that “there’s no injury.” The situation drew additional attention because Nabers is returning from ACL and meniscus surgery.

Related Players: Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Braxton Berrios, Odell Beckham

The explicit denial of an injury makes this a reassuring update, although any unplanned departure involving a player returning from major knee surgery warrants documentation. Nabers remains our current WR12.