Kyler Murray throws pick, exits 1st game post-Cardinals career after hard hit

Kyler Murray took a hard hit to the head while going down, exiting his first game following a seven-year tenure as the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback.

The now-Minnesota Vikings quarterback scrambled for a two-yard gain before the hit, and Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

Scary scene as Kyler Murray takes a massive hit and stays down after the play. pic.twitter.com/sVqZ7M24e4

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Murray was 3 of 5 for 18 passing yards with an interception and two rushes for nine yards before leaving the game with 6:16 left in the first quarter. Minnesota ruled him out with a concussion.

He was replaced by 11-year NFL veteran Carson Wentz. 2024 10th-overall pick J.J. McCarthy rounds out Minnesota’s quarterback room.

Murray’s interception came deep down field on his first pass attempt of the game. The signal-caller was instantly met with pressure before throwing it into double coverage.

Keisean Nixon intercepts the first pass of the game

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The former Cardinal was facing his old Arizona head coach, Jonathan Gannon, who is now the Packers’ defensive coordinator.

Murray’s availability for Week 2 at the Chicago Bears and beyond is in doubt as he must clear concussion protocol. O’Connell said postgame that Murray was “conscious and talking” postgame and appeared in good spirits.

Jonathan Gannon’s Packers debut falls apart in 4th quarter

After Murray left the game, Wentz struggled to get going. Minnesota scored three points on his first three drives.

However, after trailing 19-10 at halftime, the Murray-less Vikings dominated the Packers. Green Bay opened the half with a field goal to lead 22-10 before Minnesota scored 29 unanswered, including 22 points in the fourth quarter on Gannon’s defense.

Though two of Minnesota’s three fourth quarter touchdowns came on short fields thanks to Jordan Love turnovers.

The Packers defense looked strong in its first few possessions against Murray, bringing continuous pressure, but as the game went on, it became more about Brian Flores’ defense giving Love and the Packers offense fits, creating numerous opportunities for Minnesota’s Wentz-led offense to capitalize.

The Vikings won their opener 39-22.

Arizona Sports’ Douglas Santo contributed to this report.

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