Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell did not think the hit that concussed quarterback Kyler Murray during Sunday's season opener was a dirty or malicious play by Green Bay Packers defender Javon Bullard.
The hit was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness, and Murray is now in concussion protocol, but O'Connell was not willing to blame anyone for the resulting injury given Murray's slide at the end of the play.
"No. It was a violent, physical play," O'Connell said. "As fast as those things happen out there, it would be one thing it was a head-first slide and a clear declaration, but I don't put any fault on anybody there."
Murray slid late and sideways, and he ended up getting sandwiched between Bullard and Lukas Van Ness as he went
to the ground.
Here's the play from Sunday's first quarter:
Scary scene as Kyler Murray takes a massive hit and stays down after the play. pic.twitter.com/sVqZ7M24e4
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 13, 2026
Backup Carson Wentz finished the game for the Vikings. He threw three touchdown passes as the Vikings stormed back from a 12-point deficit and won by 17. O'Connell said the Vikings will take it day by day with Murray, who was in the building on Monday.
"He came in feeling pretty good today. He is in the protocol, so we'll defer to the medical folks and the protocol," O'Connell said.
Murray exited his Vikings debut after completing 3 of 5 passes for 18 yards and an interception.
More from the Vikings coach:
LIVE: Head Coach Kevin O'Connell talks to the media https://t.co/skLmqyiVas
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 14, 2026
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Vikings coach doesn't fault Packers DB Javon Bullard for hit on QB Kyler Murray
