Vikings to start Carson Wentz against Bills with Kyler Murray (hamstring) out

Fantasy football: Wentz gets the start Monday night against Buffalo, a middling matchup. He is a low-end streamer with rushing value but negative efficiency.

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · November 5, 2026 · Updated November 6, 2026

The Vikings will start Carson Wentz at quarterback against the Bills on Monday night after ruling Kyler Murray out with a hamstring injury. Coach Kevin O'Connell said Murray is week-to-week but will not go on injured reserve. This will be Wentz's second start of the season after he led Minnesota to a 9-3 victory over Chicago in Week 2 when Murray was out with a concussion.

Wentz becomes a streaming option in deep leagues for managers desperate at the position. Murray managers without a backup will need to find a replacement for Week 9 and possibly longer. The Vikings sit 6-1 atop the NFC North behind a strong defence, which limits the passing volume in a run-heavy offensive approach.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Carson Wentz

Wentz completed 11 of 20 passes for 143 yards with three carries for six yards on 100 per cent of snaps in Week 2 against Chicago, managing 6.3 half-PPR points. Over his two games this season, he has averaged 138.0 passing yards and 4.0 carries a game for 12.8 half-PPR points a game. His modest rushing usage provides some baseline value, though his passing output has been minimal in Minnesota's conservative offence.

Our models project 10.6 half-PPR points a game and rank him 30th of 45 qualified quarterbacks with a Roundup Score of 31 out of 99. He is scoring 3.0 half-PPR points a game above what his usage predicts, 7th of 46 quarterbacks, so some touchdown or big-play luck that may not repeat. His completion percentage over expectation of negative 7.8 ranks 43rd of 46 quarterbacks. Monday's opponent, Buffalo, has allowed 19.0 half-PPR points a game to quarterbacks, the 11th most of 32. Wentz is a desperation streamer in deep formats with his rushing floor, but his efficiency metrics and limited volume make him a risky option even in a favourable matchup.

Kyler Murray

Murray is out for Monday night's game against Buffalo and is week-to-week with a hamstring injury sustained in Week 8's loss to Detroit. Coach Kevin O'Connell said putting Murray on injured reserve is not under consideration, but there is no definitive timeline for his return. Murray did not practise Wednesday and is listed as questionable with the hamstring injury. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer are next on the depth chart.

Over his last three games, Murray averaged 196.3 passing yards, 6.3 carries for 41.7 rushing yards and 1.3 passing touchdowns a game for 17.4 half-PPR points a game. His season average of 12.3 half-PPR points a game ranks 27th at the position. Our models project 12.4 half-PPR points a game and give him a Roundup Score of 41 out of 99, 27th of 45 quarterbacks. His role is worth more than his season points, scoring 1.4 half-PPR points a game below what his usage predicts, 29th of 46 quarterbacks. Murray managers must find a replacement for Week 9 and should monitor his practice participation through the week to gauge availability for Week 10.

What to do

• Stream Wentz in deep leagues only if you are desperate at quarterback, understanding his efficiency metrics and limited volume make him risky despite his rushing floor.

• Murray managers should add a replacement quarterback for Week 9 and monitor his practice reports next week to gauge his availability for Week 10.

• Do not expect Wentz to maintain the touchdown rate from his two games, as he is scoring well above what his usage predicts and ranks near the bottom in completion percentage over expectation.