As teams across the NFL lose quarterbacks to injuries, the Minnesota Vikings are eager to welcome back their top signal-caller.
Kyler Murray will return to the offense when Minnesota (2-0) visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) on Sunday afternoon. It will be the first action for Murray since the opening quarter of Week 1, when he sustained a concussion on an illegal hit.
All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson is happy to reunite with his team’s top quarterback.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Jefferson said. “Obviously, what we’ve built throughout training camp, throughout the offseason, leading into the season, that has been exciting. It’s something that we’ve all been waiting for.
“The time was limited the first game, so for him to be back out there and for us to get back started with him is going to be a joy to see.”
The Buccaneers have not experienced much joy in their first two games of the season. They lost 33-27 on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 and followed that with a 23-19 loss at home against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2.
Baker Mayfield has a pedestrian 86.6 passer rating and has thrown for 398 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Chris Godwin Jr. has 86 receiving yards to lead the team, and Bucky Irving has rushed for 134 yards and a score.
On defense, Tampa Bay must find a way to slow down Jefferson two weeks after they struggled against another former LSU standout in the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase.
Buccaneers cornerback Benjamin Morrison said the defense is in for another test.
“He is one of the best in the game right now for a reason,” Morrison said. “It’s proven. You turn on film and the ball finds him.
“He splits double teams and it looks smooth for him, so we have to be on our Ps and Qs and make sure that we are executing the (defense) right and playing to our leverage to be able to have a successful day on Sunday.”
Jefferson has 15 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns in two games despite playing most of that time without Murray. He has more than twice as many receiving yards as tight end T.J. Hockenson, who ranks second on the team with 65 yards and a touchdown.
Aaron Jones Sr., who has a team-high 145 rushing yards and a touchdown, will be available after missing Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. With fellow running back Jordan Mason already sidelined because of a thumb injury, there’s still a bit more onus placed on Minnesta’s third- and fourth-string RBs such as DeeJay Dallas and rookie sixth-round pick Demond Claiborne.
“Obviously, (we) feel good about DeeJay and getting Demond continued work,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said.
Dallas was limited in practice by a toe injury Wednesday and Thursday but practiced fully Friday and has no status designation.
While multiple other Vikings appeared on this week’s injury report, only punter Brett Thorson (right hamstring) and reserve center Nick Samac (knee) are listed as out.
The Buccaneers will be without their top two picks in this year’s NFL Draft as outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (groin) and inside linebacker Josiah Trotter (shoulder) are both sidelined for this week’s game.
The Vikings are getting plenty of production in the pass rush from Dallas Turner. The third-year outside linebacker ranks tied for third in the NFL with three sacks, and he has 11 quarterback hits in two games.
–Field Level Media
