O’Connell Defends Packers’ Hit on Murray, Says No Fault Should Be Assigned

The hit that resulted in Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray suffering a concussion was a “violent, physical play” but was not objectionable, coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.

“It would be one thing if there was a headfirst slide and a clear declaration [of giving himself up],” O’Connell said. “But I don’t put any fault on anybody there.”

The injury occurred on the Vikings’ 11th offensive snap during Sunday’s 39-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. At the end of a third-down scramble, Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness and safety Javon Bullard converged on Murray. As the quarterback began going to the ground, contact from Van Ness started to dislodge his helmet. Bullard then struck Murray’s head with his right shoulder and forearm.

Murray was initially motionless on the turf, and multiple teammates nearby reported that his body was in a fencing posture — a common immediate side effect of brain trauma. Murray eventually walked off the field under his own power.

The Vikings placed Murray in the concussion protocol, but he was feeling well enough to speak with teammates and coaches in the postgame locker room. On Monday, O’Connell said Murray was feeling “pretty good” and did not rule him out of being available for the Vikings’ Week 2 game at the Chicago Bears.

“He was in meetings today,” O’Connell said. “He’s not having the type of symptoms where he’s not able to be in meetings or things like that. He’s able to watch the tape, and we’ll just take it a day at a time and see how he’s doing and make the determination when that time comes.”

Carson Wentz, who replaced Murray against the Packers and threw three touchdown passes, would start against the Bears if Murray does not clear the protocol in time. J.J. McCarthy would serve as the backup, while second-year quarterback Max Brosmer is on the practice squad.

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