Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-24 · by Rob Maaddi The Associated Press
Kyler Murray returns from injury as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings against the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The Vikings are 2-0, while the Buccaneers have lost their first two games and are under pressure after a promising but disappointing end to last season. Coach Todd Bowles acknowledges the urgency of improving performance, particularly given that rookie defensive player Rueben Bain Jr. has yet to make an impact despite high expectations.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-24,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Kyler Murray, who sustained a concussion in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, has cleared NFL concussion protocol and will start for the Minnesota Vikings against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Murray missed the previous game due to his injury while backup Carson Wentz led the Vikings to victories over the Packers and Chicago Bears. The Buccaneers, currently winless at 0-2, face a struggling defense after their poor start, making them an ideal opponent for Murray's return. The matchup is set for Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida, with kickoff scheduled for 4:05 p.m. EST.
Written for “Kyler Murray Returns For Vikings” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kyler Murray has the right opponent to get back on track after a concussion knocked him out of the season opener.
asserted
concussion → have → opener
Murray will be under center when the Minnesota Vikings (2-0) visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) on Sunday.
asserted
Vikings → visit → Sunday
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback faces a defense that made Deshaun Watson look like an elite quarterback last week.
asserted
Watson → face → quarterback
The Buccaneers haven’t generated much pressure, can’t tackle and routinely miss coverage assignments.
asserted
Buccaneers → generate → assignments
That bodes well for Murray, who watched Carson Wentz fill in and lead Minnesota to two gritty wins.
asserted
Wentz → bode → wins
Wentz didn’t turn the ball over and made enough plays, especially in Week 1 when he tossed three touchdown passes against Green Bay.
asserted
he → turn → Bay
“I think the starting point is he’s just watched Carson really function in a way that Carson wasn’t doing crazy things,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said.
asserted
O’Connell → think → things
“He was just protecting the football, making good decisions, making some big-time throws when he could and running the show.
uncertain
he → protect → show
And I think he saw some plays get made.
asserted
plays → think → ?
I think he saw our team play totally connected and complementary of the other two phases and what that can do for the Minnesota Vikings on a Sunday.”
asserted
that → think → Sunday
Wentz was sacked six times in the first two games, but Murray’s mobility can create problems for Tampa Bay.
asserted
mobility → sack → Bay
“It’s been a long time since (the) Arizona days, but he’s very good,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said of Murray.
asserted
Bowles → ’ → Murray
“He has a very good arm – he can throw a deep ball.
asserted
he → have → ball
He’s very good in the pocket, throwing on a dime, and he can run with the ball.
asserted
he → ’ → ball
His feet are probably faster than our four defensive linemen’s feet, so we’ve got to be very disciplined in our pass rush.”
Bowles already was on the hot seat after a 6-2 start in 2025 turned into an 8-9 finish.
asserted
start → get → finish
Baker Mayfield signed the biggest contract in franchise history and has more turnovers (four) than TDs (two).
asserted
Mayfield → sign → TDs
Defensive tackle Vita Vea got a huge contract extension and isn’t playing up to standards.
asserted
Vea → get → standards
Rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., a first-round draft pick with high expectations, hasn’t made an impact.
asserted
Jr. → make → impact
It just happens to be this week,” Bowles said.
asserted
Bowles → happen → ?
“We treat every week the same, with the same amount of urgency.
asserted
We → treat → urgency
The fact that it’s this week (means) it’s the most important game, and then next week will be the most important, and it’ll go from there.”
asserted
it → ’ → ?
Last week: Vikings beat the Bears 9-3; Buccaneers lost to the Browns 23-19.
asserted
Buccaneers → beat → Browns
Last meeting: Buccaneers beat the Vikings 20-17 on Sept. 10, 2023, in Minnesota.
asserted
Buccaneers → beat → Minnesota
Series record: Vikings lead 33-24.
asserted
Vikings → lead → ?
Wirfs is a two-time All-Pro and the only player to earn those honors at both left and right tackle.
asserted
Wirfs → earn → tackle
After finishing with eight sacks last season, he already has three in two games and leads the NFL with 20 pressures.
asserted
he → finish → pressures
Stats and stuff
— Vikings QB Kyler Murray returns after sustaining a concussion early in the season opener.
asserted
Murray → return → opener
Backup Carson Wentz was efficient in leading Minnesota to two wins.
asserted
Wentz → lead → wins
He had no turnovers but got sacked six times.
asserted
He → have → turnovers
— RB Aaron Jones led the Vikings with 105 yards rushing in Week 2.
asserted
Jones → lead → Week
— WR Justin Jefferson has 11 catches for 147 yards and two TDs in two games.
asserted
Jefferson → have → games
— LB Blake Cashman has at least seven tackles in 13 straight games and at least a half-sack in four in a row.
asserted
Cashman → have → row
— Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield has two TDs (one passing, one rushing) and four turnovers (three fumbles, one interception) in two games.
asserted
Mayfield → have → games
— LB Josiah Trotter is one of four players since 2000 to have at least 10 tackles in two straight games to start his career.
asserted
Trotter → have → career
The Aporia
