Kyler Murray finished the game in Detroit. A week later, he’s out for one of Minnesota’s biggest games of the season.

The Vikings ruled Murray out against the Buffalo Bills with a hamstring strain, and Carson Wentz will start Monday night. Minnesota is taking Murray’s recovery week to week, and the latest report raises the possibility that he could miss more than one game.

What Happened to Kyler Murray Against the Lions?

Murray injured his hamstring on a fourth-quarter read-option run in Minnesota’s 19–15 loss to Detroit. He turned the corner past Aidan Hutchinson for nine yards and stayed in the game. Murray finished with 210 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception as the Vikings took their first loss of the season.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Murray was still sore the next day. An evaluation that included imaging showed a strain, and O’Connell ruled Murray out on Thursday. Murray missed all three practices leading into the game.

On Saturday,Tom Pelissero reported that Murray was rehabbing a Grade 2 strain and could be sidelined beyond Monday.

A Grade 2 strain involves a partial tear of the muscle. O’Connell pointed to how much Murray relies on his legs, saying that asking him to play through the injury this early could make it worse.

The coach said Thursday that injured reserve was off the table at that point. The Vikings visit Green Bay on Sunday, Nov. 15, just six days after the Buffalo game, and Murray’s availability for that trip remains open.

Carson Wentz Will Start for the Vikings Against Buffalo

Wentz gets his second start of the season, with Max Brosmer backing him up. He took over in Week 1 after Murray left with a concussion and threw three touchdown passes in a comeback win over Green Bay.

A week later, Wentz started in Chicago and threw for 143 yards in a 9–3 win. Minnesota has seen him win a game that needed a rally and another that came down to field goals.

When Wentz spoke about the Buffalo matchup, his focus was keeping drives alive. He said the offense had been inconsistent in that area even when he played early in the season. He also talked about getting Justin Jefferson involved without forcing the ball on him. Wentz will have one fewer option in the passing game with wide receiver Jauan Jennings ruled out due to a calf injury.

Staying on the field matters against this Buffalo team. The Bills enter Monday averaging an NFL-best 33.3 points per game, while Minnesota leads the league at 13.3 points allowed per game.

That defense gives Wentz some room to work, but every drive he can extend means fewer snaps for Josh Allen and more time for Minnesota’s defense to catch its breath. The Vikings entered the week ranked 31st in passing yards per game, so sustaining drives is a season-long issue for the offense.

Both teams enter theMonday night matchup at 6–1. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium on ABC and ESPN. The next clue about Murray’s return will come when the Vikings get back on the practice field ahead of Green Bay. He went the entire Buffalo week without taking a practice rep, so even limited work would mark a step forward.