Vikings Plan to Start Murray if Cleared for Bills Game

Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the team intends to start Kyler Murray against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 if the quarterback is medically cleared, even as commentators have urged a switch to Carson Wentz. Murray’s hamstring soreness is being evaluated, and the Vikings have not announced a change at quarterback. O’Connell said Murray’s soreness required further evaluation after the quarterback experienced hamstring tightness late in the loss to the Detroit Lions. Murray remained in that game, and the team was assessing his availability for its Monday night matchup with Buffalo. O’Connell said the team was not yet ready to provide a definitive status update. The conditional plan to start Murray contrasts with speculation that the injury could allow Minnesota to move to Wentz without formally benching its starter. That theory was advanced by commentator Mike Florio, who suggested the Vikings might use the hamstring issue as cover for a change. The team has not confirmed that it is considering such a strategy. Former NFL player Bryant McFadden separately advocated for Wentz, saying the backup could bring more structure to the offense if Murray was not prepared to...