KYLER MURRAY LEAVES VIKINGS DEBUT AFTER HIT TO HEAD

Kyler Murray left the Minnesota Vikings' season-opening game against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter on Sunday after taking a hit to the head. He was scrambling on third-and-six from the Minnesota 34-yard line and had begun sliding well short of the first-down marker when Packers safety Javon Bullard struck him in the head, according to one report. Murray remained on the ground while Minnesota's medical staff examined him on the field. He then walked off under his own power and went straight to the locker room for further assessment. The Vikings subsequently announced that Murray was being evaluated for a concussion. Backup quarterback Carson Wentz replaced him for the rest of the game.

One report described Sunday's game as Murray's first appearance as the Vikings' starting quarterback. J.J. McCarthy was named as Minnesota's emergency third-string quarterback in case Wentz also proved unable to continue. Another report said the challenge drew criticism from some Vikings supporters, who described it as a late hit delivered after Murray had already begun his slide. Neither team issued further public comment on the tackle beyond the Vikings' confirmation that Murray's condition was under review.

Sunday's match was the Vikings' first fixture of the 2026 NFL season, and Wentz continued as quarterback for the rest of the contest after Murray left. McCarthy remained on hand as the emergency third-string option throughout the remainder of the game. The Vikings confirmed only that Murray was undergoing a concussion evaluation, with no further update issued on his condition. Bullard and the Packers made no public comment on the tackle.