Vikings Sticking with Wentz as QB1 vs. Chargers
The Minnesota Vikings are entrusting Carson Wentz with the starting quarterback role for their upcoming Thursday night clash against the Los Angeles Chargers, as confirmed by Head Coach Kevin O’Connell on Tuesday. This decision comes despite the ongoing recovery of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy from a high right ankle sprain. McCarthy will continue to serve as the team’s emergency No. 3 quarterback for the second consecutive week, with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer backing up Wentz.
O’Connell emphasized the limited preparation time available due to the short week as a key factor in the decision to stick with Wentz. With a Thursday night game, making a quarterback change would require a rapid and potentially disruptive adjustment for the entire offense. Wentz, having already started several games for the Vikings, provides a level of familiarity and stability that McCarthy, still recovering from injury, cannot currently offer.
The Vikings also received positive news on the injury front, as they opened the 21-day practice window for running back Aaron Jones, who has been sidelined since Week 2 with a hamstring injury. O’Connell expressed optimism that Jones could potentially be activated in time for Thursday night’s game. Jones’ return would provide a significant boost to the Vikings’ running game and overall offensive capabilities. While Jordan Mason has performed admirably as the primary running back, Jones’ versatility and experience, particularly in the passing game, have been sorely missed.
The team’s medical staff conducted an on-field workout with McCarthy on Tuesday morning to assess his progress and determine his readiness to potentially play against the Chargers. O’Connell stated that he wanted to gain "clarity" on McCarthy’s ability to contribute on Thursday.
Ultimately, McCarthy’s limitations due to the ankle sprain led the Vikings to conclude that starting him on Thursday night would carry an unacceptable risk of reinjury. Barring an unforeseen emergency, McCarthy will miss his 22nd regular-season game in 24 opportunities since being drafted by the Vikings with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
"We’re all kind of encouraged about where he’s at, and the progress he’s making," O’Connell said regarding McCarthy’s recovery. "But he’s just not there yet."
The evaluation process for McCarthy might have yielded a different outcome had the Vikings been scheduled to play on Sunday instead of Thursday, allowing for additional recovery time.
When asked about the specific criteria McCarthy needs to meet before being cleared to start, O’Connell emphasized the importance of mobility and agility within the pocket. He highlighted the need for McCarthy to demonstrate "some of the movements, the reactionary movements within the pocket" and "being able to use his athleticism to protect himself in the pocket and then as he’s able to work through progressions."
O’Connell also expressed confidence in the foundational work McCarthy has put in, stating, "I feel really good about the work we’ve done on the foundation of his fundamentals. That’s been pretty evident through the work that he’s done and really his commitment to doing that." However, he acknowledged the lingering concern about potential setbacks, saying, "It’s really just about, ‘Hey, there’s maybe a guy gets edged and I don’t really know the movement I’m going to have to make.’ That’s where he still feels it and if he doesn’t have the ability to do that pain-free, we obviously risk setting him back, which would be very, very unfortunate with the time lost already."
McCarthy himself indicated last week that multiple second opinions suggested the injury could require up to six weeks to fully heal. This timeline provides a reasonable possibility of his return for the Vikings’ subsequent game on November 2 against the Detroit Lions.
Wentz, who has guided the Vikings to a 2-2 record since stepping in for McCarthy, maintained a focused approach when asked about the long-term implications of his role.
"My mindset is to go win this game," Wentz said. "and focus on the here and now. I don’t have a lot of time or energy to think beyond this one, quite frankly. So let the future take care of itself, but the mindset is to go 1-0 this week and find a way to get mentally and physically as ready as I can on a short week."
Wentz understands the importance of the upcoming game against the Chargers and is committed to preparing diligently to lead the Vikings to victory. He is not allowing speculation about the future to distract him from the immediate task at hand.
