Print
Close
Kyler Murray knocked out of Vikings debut after forearm to the helmet and blow to neck by two Packers
By Armando Salguero
Published September 13, 2026
That start of Kyler Murray's career with the Minnesota Vikings has been a disaster.
That might be understating the matter.
The team's new starting quarterback threw an interception on the second play of the regular-season opener. It was his first pass in a Vikings uniform.
At home, no less.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS SURPRISINGLY DEMOTE FORMER FIRST-ROUND PICK JJ MCCARTHY TO THIRD STRING
Then Murray got knocked out of the game on his team's third possession.
Murray, signed by the Vikings in the offseason as their next major quarterback project, did not make it out of the first quarter on Sunday.
Murray left the game and underwent a concussion evaluation. He was listed officially as questionable to return, though the severity of the hit made clear to those watching that his day was over.
The Vikings eventually ruled Murray out.
"Definitely, thinking about Kyler," Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson said, "Definitely prayers out to him. Definitely don't want to see one of our brothers go down with that type of injury."
Kyler Murray of the Minnesota Vikings participates in a drill during an OTA workout at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan, Minn., on May 27, 2026. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Murray was scrambling when he took a forearm to the helmet from Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness, but that wasn't all.
As Murray collapsed in a heap, he took another blow from safety Javon Bullard around the neck and head area, causing Murray's helmet to fly off.
And he seemed to go into a fencing response position, which is an involuntary body posture where an injured person extends one arm rigidly and flexes the other into the air for several seconds after a blow to the head.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Bullard drew a personal foul for unnecessary roughness. Murray was ultimately able to walk off the field and make his way to the locker room without assistance.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz answers questions after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!
Carson Wentz took over for Murray after the play, and led Minnesota to a 39-22 victory.
Murray will enter the NFL concussion protocol. That means he will be tested, and independent physicians will determine when he can eventually return to play.
For a player experiencing his first concussion, the standard return-to-play timeline is roughly two weeks, though absences of one week or three weeks are not uncommon.
Coach Kevin O'Connell said afterward he saw Murray and the quarterback "seemed to be doing pretty well, but I wouldn't medically quote me on that."
So, yes. It's been a terrible start to the season, and his Vikings career, for Murray.
FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO
https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/kyler-murray-knocked-out-vikings-debut-forearm-helmet-blow-neck-packers