Former UCLA Bruin linebacker Gabriel Murphy was designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday for the Minnesota Vikings. Murphy spent the first nine weeks of the season on injured reserve according to Athlon Sports’ Josh Skluzacek but has returned to practice this week.
“The team has officially designated rookie edge rusher Gabriel Murphy to return to practice. He’s been on injured reserve all season but flashed at times this summer.” Skluzacek said of the former Bruin.
Murphy went undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft before signing with the Vikings in April. CBS Sports ranked Murphy as the No.1 undrafted free agent back in April, drawing comparisons to another undrafted Viking, Ivan Pace Jr.
Pace Jr. was undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft before landing with Brian Flores’ defense in Minnesota where he made an immediate impact, making 102 tackles and collecting 2.5 sacks while playing in 16 games, including 11 starts in his rookie season. Pace Jr. has continued the success into his second season, starting in all six of the games he’s appeared this season and returning a fumble for a touchdown against the Lions last month.
After three seasons with the University of North Texas, Murphy transferred to the Bruins ahead of the 2022 season where he made 38 tackles and got 1.5 sacks. Murphy had a big 2023 season where he made another 38 tackles but had 16 tackles for losses and eight sacks before heading to the NFL.
Even after returning to practice, Murphy is still listed as questionable for the Vikings’ game Sunday on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Vikings have 21 days to have Murphy practice with the team before having to add the rookie linebacker to their active roster.