Carson Wentz‘s debut campaign with the Vikings has come to an end. The shoulder injury Minnesota’s fill-in quarterback has been dealing with will lead to surgery. 
Wentz played through significant pain in his non-throwing shoulder including the team’s Thursday night loss to open Week 8. Testing on the injury has led to the decision to undergo surgery. Wentz will be out for the remainder of the season as a result, as first reported by Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis of The Athletic.
Providing details on the ailment, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero add Wentz suffered a dislocation during the Vikings’ London game (Week 5). That caused a torn labrum and a fractured socket, something Wentz played through for another two contests before ultimately being shut down for rest of the campaign.
The Vikings have since moved Wentz to injured reserve. The 32-year-old was added late in the offseason as Minnesota’s depth chart under center was shaken up not long before the start of the campaign. Wentz would up taking on starting duties for a notable stretch after J.J. McCarthy went down with an ankle sprain. Minnesota went 2-3 in the games started by Wentz, who will now turn his attention to a lengthy rehab process.
McCarthy’s recovery has been closely monitored by the Vikings, but Week 9 is the target for him to return to action. Provided that takes place, the 2024 first-rounder will be able to remain atop the depth chart barring any further injuries. Minnesota will of course be in the market for a depth addition at the quarterback spot now, though, seeing as undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is the only other healthy signal-caller in the organization as things stand.
Wentz is four years removed from his last full campaign as a QB1 (when he served as Indianapolis’ starter in 2021). Since then, the former No. 2 pick has seen time with the Commanders, Rams, Chiefs and Vikings. Through much of that period, he has operated as a backup or dealt with injuries. Wentz inked a one-year deal to head to Minnesota, so he is a pending free agent.
This injury – and his performances when on the field – will hurt Wentz’s chances of landing a notable deal on the open market next spring. Nevertheless, he will represent one of the most experienced QB2 options available in the event he opts to continue his career when healthy.
Kirk Cousins on Line 1.
sent to voicemail
With how bad Kirk was in Sunday that is a good thing he did not pick up. Three more losses and they are missing the playoffs regardless who the QB is.
Hey…the guy has been running practice squad all season…what did anyone expect….he needs reps with the first team…he didn’t even know he was starting until 24 hours before game time….suffer with your little boy McCarthy who can’t stay healthy enough for you fans to see he pretty much sucks…
still, some deeply, deeply foolish team will sign him next season. Browns?
As a Browns fan I can tell you that is a NO! They passed over him 2 years in a row
Wow that sucks….he did well filling in
Rough for the Vikings. He helped raise the floor a bit with McCarthy out, but struggling with pressure and injuries are his two biggest career long problems, and they came through severely this time around.
Wentz wasn’t bad this season considering he had ZERO TRAINING CAMP. I actually believe the Vikings will resign him to be the backup again next season.
There’s no hesitation that having an injury prone backup is dumb considering they have an injury prone starter?
If I was the Vikings, I would call the Giants about Russell Wilson. They need a Veteran QB to backup McCarthy especially if they feel they will be in the postseason
No Jamais for MN
It doesn’t seem like a good fit. Russ isn’t exactly adaptable. Playing in a scheme that isn’t designed for him has not worked out well for him.
As a Viking fan please start Brosmer! See what he has! We’ve been chanting that since preseason. Can’t be worse than wounded Wentz or JJ.
Agree, and as much as I like JJ, I never saw him as a pro QB. Didn’t do anything at the big house to justify a top 10 pick. Hopefully they don’t rush him back and he restarts his career when 100% healthy
Shedeur Sanders? Jameis Winston? Drew Lock? Hmmmmmmm
Not getting Winston….signed for 2 years with the Giants….you can have Wikson though but don’t think Cuara is a fit for MN…..
Poor guy had multiple td’s dropped or called back due to penalty. I give him a ton of credit for playing through such pain.
Teddy Bridgewater
He signed with the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Just $1.4 million paid to Wentz to wreck his shoulder. Given his injury history, Carson should call it a day while he can still walk and lift a baby.
Thanks to his Eagles contract, Wentz has $33 million in career earnings. He won’t go hungry.