MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings announced on Sunday that veteran quarterback Carson Wentz will start the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears. The decision comes after starting quarterback Kyler Murray was placed on the NFL concussion protocol and will miss the contest at Soldier Field.

Murray’s health update

Coach Kevin O’Connell said Murray suffered an illegal hit to the head during the first quarter of his debut for Minnesota in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers. The hit resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty on Packers safety Javon Bullard. Murray was a limited participant in practice all week but was unable to make sufficient progress to be cleared for Sunday.

“Kyler showed a lot of progress,” O’Connell said. “He’s doing well, and we expect him to clear the protocol early next week and be ready for the Tampa Bay game on Sept. 27.” The coach added that Murray left the field under his own power, was alert in the locker room, and appeared spry during practice.

Wentz steps in

Wentz, now in his eighth NFL season, previously threw three touchdown passes in relief of Murray during the Packers game, helping the Vikings finish with 29 straight points in a 39‑22 victory. “It was good to get a lot of reps in, and even just building the game plan and being part of those conversations a little bit more attentively this week,” Wentz said after practice. “It was a good week.”

J.J. McCarthy will serve as the backup quarterback for the Bears matchup. He was the emergency third‑string option against Green Bay and can only enter the game if both starters are injured.

Other injuries

The Vikings also announced that wide receiver Jauan Jennings will miss the Bears game after dealing with a personal family matter that kept him off the practice field all week. Running back Jordan Mason is out for at least four games with a broken thumb, and right tackle Brian O’Neill was listed as questionable after a knee injury sustained in practice on Wednesday. O’Connell expressed optimism about O’Neill’s condition, noting he looked solid on Friday.

Game outlook

Missing Murray, Mason and Jennings presents a challenge for Minnesota, especially against a Bears defense that scored 59 points in its previous outing. However, the Vikings believe Wentz’s familiarity with the offense and the extra preparation time will give them a better chance than the cold‑start scenario they faced against Green Bay.

The Bears, who are coming off a high‑scoring effort, will look to capitalize on the Vikings’ depleted roster. Both teams are expected to field strong offensive units, making Sunday’s matchup a key test for Minnesota’s depth and coaching adjustments.

Looking ahead

Vikings officials remain confident that Murray will be cleared to play in the next game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 27. In the meantime, the coaching staff will continue to evaluate the health of its injured players while preparing Wentz and the rest of the offense for the Chicago challenge.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.