With Kyler Murray nursing a hamstring injury, the Minnesota Vikings will start Carson Wentz at quarterback against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed the decision Thursday, adding that Murray is considered week-to-week with a "sore hamstring."

"After evaluating Kyler on Monday, getting some imagery and things, we did determine he does have a hamstring strain," O'Connell said. "We don't believe it to be more than a week-to-week kind of thing right now, but for him, his movement skills and the way he plays the game, we do feel like we'd be putting him at risk of possibly turning this into a more significant injury than it is by trying to have him work through it here early on.

"Obviously there's a ton of confidence in Carson. He's already helped us — had a major role in two wins this year against two really good teams. He's a steady presence and a guy we know."

Murray and the Vikings suffered their first loss of the season last Sunday, falling 19-15 to the Detroit Lions. Now, they'll have their backup quarterback under center for a Monday Night Football matchup with Josh Allen and the Bills.

As O'Connell mentioned, this won't be Wentz's first action of the season. The former No. 2 overall pick relieved the injured Murray in Week 1, leading the Vikings to a 39-22 win over the Green Bay Packers. He started again in Week 2, a 9-3 victory over the Chicago Bears, before Murray returned in Week 3 from his concussion.

For the season, Wentz has completed 23 of 39 passes for 276 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He started five games for Minnesota last season, and he has 11 seasons of experience with the Philadelphia Eagles (2016-20), Indianapolis Colts (2021), Washington Commanders (2022), Los Angeles Rams (2023), Kansas City Chiefs (2024) and Vikings (2025-26).

Murray's injury came as questions intensified about his fit in O'Connell's offense. The former No. 1 overall pick was heavily aided by Brian Flores' dominant defense — allowing just 13.3 points per game — throughout the 6-0 start to the season.

Monday's primetime home game against the AFC-leading Bills (6-1) will be a significant test for Flores' unit. Buffalo is averaging an NFL-best 33.3 points per game, and Allen is currently the favorite to win his second MVP.

The Vikings (6-1) lead the NFC North, but their rivals aren't far behind. Chicago is 6-2, the Detroit Lions are 5-2 after beating Minnesota last week and Green Bay is 5-3, making it the only division with all four teams above .500.