Vikings Could Start Carson Wentz After Murray Injury
Minnesota may turn to Wentz at quarterback as Kyler Murray struggles with a concussion and hamstring injury.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
Carson Wentz may start at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings after Kyler Murray's injury, following Wentz's wins over the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears in Weeks 1 and 2. Wentz took over as starter in Week 1 after Murray suffered a concussion.
Why it matters
Murray is struggling to complete passes while dealing with a hamstring injury, giving Wentz a chance to take over the starting job. Wentz's ability to keep the role once Murray recovers will depend on how he performs in the games ahead.
Wentz appeared in 13 games for the Commanders, Rams, and Chiefs from 2022 to 2024, going 3-6 in nine starts. The Vikings' current starting arrangement depends on whether Murray's hamstring injury keeps him out of the lineup.
The players
Carson Wentz
Wentz is a quarterback who was the second overall pick in 2016 and played his college football at North Dakota State.
Kyler Murray
Murray is a quarterback who was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and previously played for the Arizona Cardinals.
The details
Wentz, selected second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, earned Pro Bowl honors in his second season before tearing his ACL in Week 14. The Vikings added him in late August after trading Sam Howell to the Eagles, and he later beat out J.J. McCarthy for the backup job.
Timeline
2016: Philadelphia selects Wentz second overall in the NFL Draft.
2021: The Indianapolis Colts sign Wentz.
2022-2024: Wentz plays 13 games for Washington, the Rams, and the Chiefs.
Season Trajectory
Wentz's chance to start mirrors the path Nick Foles took in 2017, when Foles stepped in after Wentz's ACL injury and led the Eagles to a 38-7 NFC Championship win over the Minnesota Vikings. How Minnesota fares with Wentz at quarterback could shape its playoff outlook this season.
Fantasy managers rostering Vikings players will need to account for a possible change at quarterback heading into the Buffalo game. The Monday night matchup against the Bills will show whether Wentz can sustain the offense while Murray recovers.
The takeaway
Quarterback depth matters when a starter is injured, and backups like Wentz can change a team's season. Following the Vikings' next few results will show whether Wentz earns the job.
What happens next
Minnesota's next game is a Monday night contest against the Buffalo Bills, which will be the next test for Wentz as starter.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage for context on the Vikings' quarterback situation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Zone Coverage.
