Kyler Murray could hardly believe his bad luck, forced out of his first game with the Minnesota Vikings after just 11 snaps when he tried to end a run with a slide only to sustain a blow to the side of his head.

His first pass, an ill-advised heave into double coverage after a protection breakdown, had been intercepted.

“You couldn’t draw it up any worse, probably,” Murray said. “I just felt like I didn’t even get to get in the game.”

Fortunately for the Vikings, he bounced back quickly. Murray didn’t clear the concussion protocol in time to play last week at Chicago, but he’ll be on the field on Sunday at Tampa Bay.

“I’m blessed. I’m healthy. I’m excited about not only this week,” Murray said, “but the future.”

Thanks to backup Carson Wentz and the brilliance of the Vikings’ defense, Murray is returning to an undefeated team.

“As a competitor I wanted to play last week, but I understand what the protocol is and how everything shakes out,” Murray said after practice on Thursday in his first public remarks since the injury. “I’m thankful that we’re 2-0. Shoutout to Carson, coming in and doing a great job. I couldn’t be happier for him and this team.”

Coach Kevin O’Connell said he thought Murray stood to benefit from watching Wentz play such a steady game without trying to force throws that weren’t there, making a point to mention that Murray’s interception in the opener came after an unacceptably poor decision.

“We haven’t turned it over since. My expectation is we’re going to protect the football and play our role offensively while continuing to grow and look like the offense we know that we can become,” O’Connell said.

Murray said the only other concussion he’s had in his career came in 2015, late in his freshman year at Texas A&M when he tried to slide at the end of a run against Auburn.

“I played the next week,” said Murray, who transferred to Oklahoma and won the Heisman Trophy in 2018. “Times were different.”

Murray wasn’t upset at the Packers defenders who brought him down. Lukas Van Ness grabbed him from behind and Javon Bullard lowered his shoulder to Murray’s helmet as he ducked down.

“You chart it to the game. I don’t judge anybody over there for anything that happened,” Murray said. “We play a violent, dangerous game, and that’s just part of it.”

Meanwhile, running back Aaron Jones (knee) took part in practice on a limited basis on Thursday, a promising sign for Murray and the offense with Jordan Mason (thumb) out for at least three more games. Backup Deejay Dallas (toe) did limited work Wednesday and Thursday.

Rookie punter Brett Thorson, however, has not practiced this week after straining his hamstring in the rain last week at Chicago. The Vikings signed 15-year veteran Johnny Hekker to the practice squad so they can elevate him as needed.

Seahawks’ Darnold hopes to play Sunday

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is taking his recovery from a glute injury day by day, but said Thursday he hopes to return for Sunday’s game at Washington.

Darnold practiced Wednesday for the first time since he was injured on the first series of the Seahawks’ season-opening win over New England.

“Feeling good,” Darnold told reporters Thursday. “For me, especially during this week, taking it day by day. Continuing to balance the reps and do everything I need to get ready.”

Coach Mike Macdonald said a day earlier that Darnold had returned to practice but was not taking all of the first-team snaps. He said the Seahawks could determine by Friday whether to start Darnold or backup Drew Lock against the Commanders.

Darnold was hopeful he’d be ready in time.

“I’m striving for that,” he said.

The plan is for Darnold to gradually increase his practice reps each day. He also has to get in the mindset of “not worrying about the hip at all. Just going out there, playing football, playing fast.”

Lock took over in the opener and helped the Seahawks to a 13-10 victory over the Patriots. He started last Sunday’s 31-7 win at Arizona.

Darnold did not miss a game last season as he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title. He threw for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions as Seattle won a franchise-record 14 regular-season games.

He admittedly was worried after he was sacked by New England’s Dre’Mont Jones in the opener. Darnold sought treatment on the sidelines before limping to the locker room.

“There’s some things that happen on the field. You get banged up a bit. Something feels weird and you feel weird coming off to the sideline and you’re able to shake it off after a couple of minutes. It wasn’t that way. The pain lingered and I wasn’t able to throw. That was the main concern,” he said.

The Seahawks have been just fine so far with Lock, who has thrown four touchdown passes — all to star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

49ers fullback fined for celebration

The NFL fined San Francisco 49ers All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk for what it deemed an “offensive” celebration similar to one he had been doing for several years with no issues.

Juszczyk was fined $14,926 after he imitated drinking a beverage following a catch in the third quarter of San Francisco’s win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

“I don’t know how else to say it. I wasn’t drinking beer in my celebration,” Juszczyk said Thursday. “I think you guys all know my nickname is Juice. I have Juice on my pads. The stadium yells ‘Juice’ when I catch the ball. When I celebrate, I celebrate by drinking juice, and it’s been that way for years. So I was surprised as anybody when I got a fine this week.”

Bengals wide receivers also fined

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase confirmed Thursday the league fined him and teammate Tee Higgins for their new “people’s elbow” celebration.

Chase insisted the “people’s elbow” celebration, which involves grabbing his right elbow with his left hand and flopping the right arm forward, isn’t the sort of off-color humor others have made it out to be on social media, and they are simply creating a new way to signal a first down.

The NFL disagreed and fined both receivers. The first offense for an unsportsmanlike conduct fine is $14,926 while taunting offenses are $11,941.