RADIO
Kyler Murray To Remain the Vikings' QB1 When Healthy
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion) exited Sunday's win over the Packers with a scary concussion, and his timeline to return remains unclear. In his absence, backup Carson Wentz led the Vikings to victory, throwing three touchdowns in the come-from-behind win, but NFL Insider Ian Rapoport believes the starting job still belongs to Murray. When asked if Wentz has a chance to take the QB1 role with another strong performance against the Bears in Week 2, Rapoport told Pat McAfee, "Kyler is going to come back, and I would expect it to be him." Murray signed a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Vikings this offseason and beat out both Wentz and 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to earn the starting job, and although he managed only 11 snaps in Week 1, Rapoport believes the team is still excited about what he can bring to the offense.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Carson Wentz a Priority Waiver Target if Named Week 2 Starter
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz was dominant in relief of quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion) on Sunday, and he could remain a high-end QB2 if he gets the nod to start in Week 2. Wentz took over for Murray in the middle of the first quarter, and despite a modest 12-for-19 passing line with just 133 passing yards, he still managed to throw for three touchdowns. He also played turnover-free football, showing flashes of the Wentz we saw during the peak of his career in Philadelphia. On the one hand, Wentz's floor may be a little lower going forward now that defenses are preparing for him instead of Murray. On the other hand, in Week 2 he draws a matchup against the Bears, who just played to a massive 59-37 shootout against the Panthers. There's the potential for a lot of points to be scored this Sunday, and so we're keeping Wentz in the mid-to-high QB2 tier. He's absolutely a solid quarterback streamer, assuming Murray remains in concussion protocol for at least one more week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyler Murray's Week 2 Status is Uncertain
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion) was knocked out of the Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the first quarter with a concussion and was eventually ruled out. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said that Murray was in good spirits after the game in the locker room, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It is good news, but we just do not know how quickly Murray will progress through the league's concussion protocol or if he will be cleared for the Week 2 game versus the division-rival Chicago Bears. It means that veteran backup Carson Wentz, who came into the game to throw three touchdowns and lead the Vikings to a win, could be the starter in Week 2 versus Chicago. It also means that former first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, who lost the starting competition this summer, could be elevated to the backup role this coming weekend. Murray was entering a potential bounce-back year in 2026 in his new home in Minnesota with better offensive weapons around him, but his Week 1 concussion does not mean that he cannot bounce back as the Vikings' starter once he is cleared from his concussion. UPDATE: O'Connell said that Murray is officially in the league's concussion protocol.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Carson Wentz Tosses Three Touchdowns In Relief
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz performed admirably in relief on Sunday, throwing three touchdown passes as the Vikings scored 29 straight points to rally past Green Bay, 39-22. The journeyman played most of the game after the Packers knocked out starter Kyler Murray (head) with an illegal hit in the first quarter. Despite some early misfires, Wentz finished 12-for-19 for 133 yards without a turnover. Even better for fantasy managers, Wentz got the ball to superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. The pair connected six times for 81 yards and two scores, including a game-clinching touchdown deep in the fourth quarter. It remains to be seen if Murray will have a chance to play Week 2, so Wentz could be a priority waiver addition in deeper leagues as the Vikings prepare to play Chicago.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kyler Murray Won't Return to Week 1 Contest
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (head) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Green Bay Packers. Murray initially exited in the first quarter, entered concussion protocol, and was listed as questionable. The fact that he was downgraded to out doesn't necessarily mean that he has been diagnosed with a concussion, but at the very least, he remains in protocol and won't be able to return. The veteran quarterback, playing in his first game as a Viking, was on the receiving end of an ugly hit from Packers safety Javon Bullard. The hit caused the quarterback's helmet to come off, drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty, and required Murray to receive medical attention on the field. He finishes his Vikings debut 3-for-5 passing with 18 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. Carson Wentz will operate as the Vikings' quarterback for the remainder of Week 1. If Wentz suffers an injury, the emergency third quarterback would be J.J. McCarthy.
Source: Kevin Seifert
Source: Kevin Seifert
Kyler Murray Being Evaluated for a Concussion on Sunday
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (head) was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion during the first quarter of Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Green Bay Packers. He is officially listed as questionable to return. Murray was on the receiving end of an ugly hit from Packers safety Javon Bullard that caused the quarterback's helmet to come off. The hit drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty, and Murray required medical attention on the field. At the time of his departure, he had completed three of his five pass attempts for 18 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed for nine yards. Given the severity of the hit, we wouldn't be surprised if Murray doesn't return. For now, though, he's questionable as the team continues to conduct tests. In the meantime, Carson Wentz has entered the game at quarterback.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Kyler Murray Begins Revival Bid In Week 1
Playing in his Minnesota Vikings debut, quarterback Kyler Murray should be considered a high-end Superflex option in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. Always a rushing threat, the veteran QB is perhaps the biggest fantasy wild card of the season. Murray has been a top-10 fantasy quarterback four times before, but he missed 21 games across the past three seasons, and his ADP plummeted after he posted career lows in just five games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2025. Yet, at age 29, the former Oklahoma star figures to be in his prime and in the most favorable situation of his career at the same time. Murray is playing alongside a strong supporting cast, including All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson and quarterback-friendly head coach Kevin O'Connell, and the Vikings are making a one-year bet that the former No. 1 overall pick can revitalize his career in the same ecosystem that revived Sam Darnold. For now, Murray is a high-ceiling option in Superflex leagues, but his value could improve considerably if he jumpstarts the Minnesota offense. He's RotoBaller's No. 15 quarterback in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyler Murray Well-Positioned for a Significant Bounce-Back
Since finishing as the fantasy QB3 in 2020, veteran quarterback Kyler Murray has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, playing in at least 14 games only twice while finishing as the QB19 or lower in three of the past five seasons. Following his release from the Arizona Cardinals, he signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings and now finds himself in a prime environment for a bounce-back season. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has long been respected for the work he has done with his quarterbacks, while four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been regarded as one of the top players at the position since entering the league in 2020. After winning the starting job in training camp, Murray finds himself at the helm of what was a top-six passing offense as recently as 2024 before facing significant quarterback concerns a season ago. With the mobility to provide a healthy fantasy floor and the surrounding playmakers to elevate his ceiling, the former first overall pick is a candidate to greatly outperform expectations as he enters the year as RotoBaller's QB19.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.J. McCarthy Demoted to Third-String Role
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters on Wednesday that veteran quarterback Carson Wentz is the backup to starter Kyler Murray and that J.J. McCarthy is the third-stringer to open the 2026 season, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. It will be a week-to-week evaluation. "This gives us the best chance to win," O'Connell said. The writing was on the wall for the 23-year-old former first-rounder from Michigan when the Vikings signed Murray to a one-year deal this offseason in free agency. McCarthy lost out in the training camp QB battle to Murray, and after struggling in the preseason and getting banged up, he will enter his third year in the NFL as the team's QB3. In his first full season as the Vikings' starter in 2025, McCarthy only played in 10 games due to various injuries and struggled with his accuracy, completing 140 of his 243 pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. McCarthy's best path back to fantasy relevance in dynasty/keeper leagues might be a trade out of Minnesota at this point.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Kyler Murray Lands in a Great Spot for a Bounce-Back
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray has a much stronger group of pass-catchers around him after his final season in Arizona fell apart. A foot injury limited Murray to five games in 2025, but Minnesota named him the starter on Aug. 11 after his competition with J.J. McCarthy. The job comes with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings at receiver, plus T.J. Hockenson at tight end. Jefferson was full-go throughout camp and started clicking with Murray late in the summer, while Jennings arrives after piling up 1,618 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Murray has already shown what his rushing can add when healthy. In 2024, he threw for 3,851 yards and 21 touchdowns while running for another 572 yards and five scores. He enters September at QB19 in RotoBaller's updated rankings, so fantasy managers aren't paying for a full rebound yet. Durability is still the concern, but this Minnesota group gives Murray plenty of room to beat that price.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Vikings Expect J.J. McCarthy to be on the Week 1 Roster
Minnesota Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley said on Wednesday that he expects quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle), who has practiced in full the last two days, to be on the Week 1 roster, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. However, Teasley would not discuss whether McCarthy would be the backup to starter Kyler Murray over veteran Carson Wentz. The 23-year-old former 10th overall pick from Michigan in 2024 injured his ankle in the second preseason game and then was held out of the preseason finale, leading to speculation that the Vikings might cut McCarthy altogether if they could not find a trade partner for him. Not only will he be on the Week 1 roster, but McCarthy could still win the backup job now that he appears to be recovered from his ankle injury. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season after having knee surgery, and he flopped as the full-time starter in 2025, throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in only 10 games while dealing with multiple injuries. His dynasty/keeper stock is at an all-time low going into the start of the 2026 season.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Kyler Murray Could Be Poised for Resurgent Season in Minnesota
Entering 2026, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is looking to revitalize his career. A foot injury limited the 29-year-old to just five games in 2025, his final season with the Arizona Cardinals after they selected him first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Murray's performance also suffered even before the injury, as he was averaging a career-low 6.0 yards per pass attempt. However, Murray has been named the starting quarterback in Minnesota, and he appears to be in an ideal spot for a resurgent season. Vikings head coach and play-caller Kevin O'Connell has helped maximize the play of multiple different veteran quarterbacks, and Minnesota has one of the top wide receiving corps in the NFL between Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. Murray has been a dangerous dual-threat quarterback as recently as the 2024 season, when he recorded 3,851 passing yards, 572 rushing yards, and 26 total touchdowns across 17 games. At his current redraft ADP of QB16, Murray carries sleeper appeal into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carson Wentz Locked In as Vikings' No. 2 Quarterback
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz is locked into the No. 2 role for now with J.J. McCarthy expected to miss multiple weeks because of an ankle injury. Kyler Murray was already named Minnesota's starter, leaving Wentz and Max Brosmer as the healthy quarterbacks behind him while McCarthy recovers. Wentz was making a strong case for the backup job even before the injury. He started Friday's preseason finale against Denver and completed three of four passes for 15 yards over two series. The 33-year-old also has recent experience stepping in for Minnesota, starting five games last season and throwing for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions before a left shoulder injury ended his year. The Vikings haven't formally announced a new depth chart, but there isn't much uncertainty about who would enter first if Murray were forced out of a game. Wentz is back in the primary backup role for the opening weeks.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
J.J. McCarthy Facing Multi-Week Absence With Ankle Injury
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is expected to miss multiple weeks, according to Adam Schefter. McCarthy suffered the injury during Minnesota's Aug. 22 preseason game against Baltimore and was unable to recover in time for Friday's finale against Denver. The Vikings had hoped to give him the entire first half in that game, but Carson Wentz started instead. Minnesota initially considered McCarthy day-to-day, making Schefter's new timetable a notable change. The 2024 first-round pick still made the Vikings' initial 53-man roster alongside Kyler Murray, Wentz and Max Brosmer. Murray was already named the starter earlier this month, so McCarthy's absence does not change Minnesota's QB1 situation. McCarthy started 10 games last season, throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while adding 181 rushing yards and four scores. His injury does leave Wentz and Brosmer as Minnesota's healthy options behind Murray for the opening weeks.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
J.J. McCarthy Makes the Vikings' 53-Man Roster
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) made the team's initial 53-man roster, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. There had been plenty of speculation that McCarthy could be traded or released, but he ultimately remains with the Vikings for now. With that said, we can't rule out the possibility of him being moved at a later date. Minnesota has four quarterbacks on its roster, which probably isn't sustainable for a long time. Kyler Murray has already been named the Week 1 starter, and the Vikings presumably would have released Carson Wentz or Max Brosmer if they didn't envision them having any sort of role. That leaves McCarthy as the odd man out. It feels a bit bizarre to talk about cutting bait on a first-round pick after just one year of NFL action, but it was a pretty brutal stretch. He missed all of 2024 due to injury, and across 10 games last year, he completed just 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. A fresh start might be the only way for McCarthy to salvage his NFL career, but until that happens, he can be avoided in all fantasy football leagues.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
