Carson Wentz to Start for Vikings Against Bills as Kyler Murray Deals With Hamstring Injury

Another week brings another backup quarterback challenge for the Buffalo Bills defense as they prepare for a high-stakes primetime clash.

The Minnesota Vikings will start Carson Wentz against Buffalo on Monday Night Football as Kyler Murray deals with a hamstring injury, coach Kevin O’Connell announced Thursday. Murray is considered week to week, leaving the Vikings to turn to their veteran backup for a critical early-November showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Carson Wentz on Starting in Vikings vs. Bills Game: I’m Excited for a Fun Monday Night Matchup

A Familiar Script for the Bills Defense

For the second consecutive week, the Bills are scheduled to face an opponent missing its starting signal-caller. This time, however, the Buffalo coaching staff has ample time to game plan for the replacement.

Last Sunday, the Bills capitalized on early chaos when Baltimore Ravens starter Lamar Jackson suffered a dislocated thumb on the very first offensive play. Backup Tyler Huntley subsequently went down with a toe injury, forcing undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano into action. Fagnano completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards with an interception, while the Buffalo defense suffocated the Ravens attack to just 68 net passing yards en route to a 36-10 victory.

Carson Wentz will start against the Bills as Kyler Murray is dealing with a hamstring injury. He's considered week-to-week. The timing could complicate things for the Vikings if they wanted to do something at QB as they play Monday and the trade deadline is Tuesday afternoon.

— https://x.com/JamesPalmerTV/status/2118520168905347222

The 33-year-old veteran boasts 100 career regular-season starts, bringing extensive experience to Minnesota’s offense as they look to rebound from their first loss of the season against the Detroit Lions.

Wentz Steps Back Into the Starting Role

Wentz is no stranger to stepping in when called upon. Across two appearances this season while replacing Murray, the veteran holds a 2-0 record, completing 23 of 39 passes for 276 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Bills vs Vikings Injury Report: Carson Wentz Starting | THE MORNING CHARGE

His early-season heroics included a relief appearance in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, where he entered after Murray suffered a first-quarter concussion. Wentz threw three touchdown passes in the final frame to spark a 39-22 comeback win. He followed that up with a steady, rain-soaked 9-3 victory over the Chicago Bears while Murray remained in concussion protocol.

Minnesota signed Murray to a one-year contract in March following his release by the Arizona Cardinals. Now, with Murray managing hamstring soreness that slowed him late in Sunday’s 19-15 loss to Detroit, the offense temporarily reverts to Wentz.

Carson Wentz to Start for Vikings Against Bills as Kyler Murray Deals With Hamstring Injury — Photo: sports.yahoo.com

Max Brosmer will serve as Wentz’s backup on Monday night, Vikings Wire reported, giving Minnesota a distinct quarterback pairing for one of the marquee matchups of the first half of the NFL season.

The Stakes at U.S. Bank Stadium

Both teams enter the contest with identical 6-1 records, making Monday night’s 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff a heavyweight battle of conference contenders.

Just in: Vikings QB Carson Wentz will start Monday night’s game vs. the Buffalo Bills while Kyler Murray deals with what the team has called a “sore hamstring.” pic.twitter.com/YM6AR24m9q

— https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2118408930678227068

Buffalo rolls into Minneapolis riding a three-game winning streak, looking to sustain the momentum from their most dominant performance of the year.

Kickoff approaches on Monday, November 9, with the spotlight shining squarely on how smoothly Wentz can pilot the Vikings offense against a surging Buffalo squad.