Kyler Murray’s week keeps pointing in the right direction, and that’s the kind of update the Minnesota Vikings wanted to see heading into Sunday’s NFC North matchup with the Chicago Bears.
Murray, who left Week 1 after a concussion scare against the Green Bay Packers, was back on the practice field Thursday in a limited capacity for the second straight day. He was hit by Packers safety Javon Bullard, showed a fencing response, and was ruled out of the game. Since then, the signs have been encouraging all week.
That matters for a Vikings team that just beat Green Bay and now gets a chance to keep the momentum going, even if they’ll be without starting running back Jordan Mason.
There was reason for optimism after Wednesday, and Thursday didn’t change that. Murray’s continued participation suggests he’s tracking toward a possible start, which would give Minnesota its starter back for a divisional road game.
Carson Wentz handled the job in relief and gave the Vikings the kind of steady QB2 performance teams hope for. He went 12-for-19 for 133 yards and three touchdowns. The stat line could have been even cleaner, too, except a defensive penalty erased an interception in the end zone.
Murray’s own debut in the game was shaky before the injury ended his day. His first throw was intercepted, and he finished 3-for-5 for 18 yards.
If he’s cleared to go Sunday, Minnesota will feel better about having a quarterback capable of getting through the full game.
The more concerning development Thursday came on the other side of the line. Right tackle Brian O’Neill, who was limited on Wednesday, did not practice at all. He’s now dealing with a knee injury, and his status is moving in the wrong direction.
O’Neill is in his 9th NFL season and played 14 games last year. He was on the field for all 65 offensive snaps Sunday, but now his availability is suddenly in question.
That’s a problem for a Vikings team that has already dealt with its tackle spots being stretched thin. Christian Darrisaw and O’Neill both missed time last season, and both are among the highest-paid players at their position. If O’Neill can’t play, rookie Caleb Tiernan would be next in line.
In Other News...
Vikings Already Face A Tough Chicago Question After First Injury Report
The first injury reports for Sundays game at Soldier Field already added a little extra intrigue to a Vikings-Bears matchup that had enough of its own built in. Minnesota is dealing with the loss of Jordan Mason to injured reserve because of a thumb injury, while Chicago listed right tackle Darnell Wright as out of practice with a knee issue. On top of that, both teams had a handful of other players limited or sitting out entirely, leaving the usual early-week uncertainty around who will actually be available by kickoff.
For the Vikings, the bigger picture goes beyond one report and into how much the roster can absorb this kind of attrition before a divisional game on the road. Chicagos injury list is worth watching too, especially on the offensive line, where Wrights status can shape the entire feel of the matchup. More updates are expected later in the week, and for a game with this much familiarity between the teams, the health chart may end up mattering just as much as the game plan. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Flores Faces A Bears Problem Vikings Fans Should Worry About
Ben Johnsons Chicago offense just put up a reminder of why the Bears can be a tricky matchup for Brian Flores defense. The ground game powered the day with 291 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and that kind of production is exactly the sort of thing that can stress a Vikings unit built to create chaos. Flores defense led the league in blitz rate in Week 1, but Johnsons heavy use of motion and misdirection is designed to make aggressive defenses think twice before they attack.
For Minnesota, the concern is not just one hot game from Chicago but the pattern Johnson has already established against Flores groups. His offenses have done well in those meetings before, which gives this upcoming matchup a familiar edge for the Bears and a lot to solve for the Vikings. If Minnesota cannot keep Johnsons run game from setting the terms, the rest of the defensive plan becomes a lot harder to trust. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Win Over Green Bay Said Everything About OConnells Focus
The first week of the season offered a familiar kind of evidence for Minnesota, but it was the sort that has nothing to do with a box score line or a social-media debate. Kevin OConnell has long preferred to frame the Vikings through the lens of execution and team result, and the opener against Green Bay fit that mold neatly, with the defense affecting Jordan Love far more than any individual number could capture. Around the division, even other coaches were talking about the hidden work that decides games, from blocking effort to communication up front.
OConnells point has always been that the Vikings are at their best when the conversation stays on winning and not on public perception. The Packers offensive issues underscored how quickly a game can tilt when the details slip, and Minnesotas head coach has made it clear he wants his own team measured the same way. In a league that often turns every performance into a referendum, that kind of focus can be a competitive edge all by itself. [Read more 🡒]