Murray Out Monday Against Bills With Hamstring Injury

Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray will miss Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills after a Grade 2 hamstring strain.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football

Murray Out Monday Against Bills With Hamstring Injury

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray will miss Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Carson Wentz will start in his place.

Why it matters

Murray hurt his hamstring in the fourth quarter of the 19-15 loss at Detroit on November 1, and coach Kevin O'Connell ruled him out Thursday after he did not practice all week. Medical opinions advised that the risk of worsening the injury or altering Murray's playing style outweighed the benefit of playing this week.

Murray has thrown for 1,022 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in six games this season, and both the Vikings and Bills stand at 6-1. The length of his absence beyond Monday remains unclear, and Minnesota will reassess his status before its Week 10 game at Green Bay.

The players

Kyler Murray

Murray is a Minnesota Vikings quarterback who previously starred for the Arizona Cardinals and signed a $230.5 million contract extension with Arizona in 2022.

Kevin O'Connell

O'Connell is the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, who ruled Murray out of the Buffalo game and has overseen the team's 6-1 start.

Carson Wentz

Wentz is a veteran NFL quarterback who will start for the Vikings in place of Murray against the Buffalo Bills.

The details

Murray received several medical opinions on the hamstring after the loss at Detroit before the team decided to hold him out. Wentz will take over at quarterback for Minnesota against Buffalo, with the team set to reevaluate Murray's availability ahead of the trip to Green Bay.

November 1: Murray hurt his hamstring in the fourth quarter of the 19-15 loss at Detroit.
Thursday: O'Connell ruled Murray out for the Buffalo game, described as week-to-week.
Monday night: Murray misses the game against the Buffalo Bills.
Tuesday: NFL trade deadline.
Week 10: Minnesota reassesses Murray before its game at Green Bay.

Season Trajectory

Minnesota's 6-1 start under coach Kevin O'Connell is now being tested by a quarterback injury that could extend beyond Week 9. Whether the Vikings can keep pace in the playoff race will depend heavily on how quickly Kyler Murray returns and how Carson Wentz performs in the interim.

Fantasy managers relying on Murray will need to start alternatives this week, while Carson Wentz's passing production will determine Minnesota's offensive output against Buffalo. Replacements should be monitored closely as the Week 10 status update approaches.

The takeaway

A single injury can reshape a contender's short-term outlook quickly, so fans should watch the Week 10 reassessment closely. Minnesota's performance without Murray will offer an early read on the depth behind its strong 6-1 start.