Vikings to start QB Carson Wentz vs. Bills as Kyler Murray recovers - USA Today

The Minnesota Vikings are turning to their backup in prime time.

With starting quarterback Kyler Murray ailing from a sore hamstring he sustained in Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions, Carson Wentz will start Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills, coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Thursday, Nov. 5.

"He's gonna throw a lot of completions. He's gonna put the ball in play," O'Connell said in a news conference. "He's got such a high, high understand of not only the offense but what he's looking at on the other side. ... He's the perfect guy in a moment where you can't have Kyler out there at full strength.

"We feel really strongly that when Carson is in there, we're gonna have strong quarterback play."

Wentz will be making his second start of the season on "Monday Night Football" after Murray was knocked out of the season opener with a concussion, which also sidelined him for a Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears.

The 11th-year veteran also made five starts last season in place of J.J. McCarthy before undergoing a season-ending injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

For the season, Wentz has passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-39 passing.

The former No. 2 overall pick will be tasked with invigorating a Vikings offense that ranks 31st in passing yards at 165.6 per game.

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