EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings will stick with quarterback Carson Wentz for at least one more game, coach Kevin O’Connell said Tuesday, citing a short week of preparation before Minnesota plays Thursday night in Los Angeles against the Chargers.
JJ McCarthy will continue his recovery from a sprained right ankle by serving as the Vikings’ emergency No. 3 quarterback for the second week in a row. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer will be the backup behind Wentz.
Meanwhile, the Vikings opened the 21-day practice window for running back Aaron Jones, who has been on injured reserve since injuring his hamstring in Week 2. O’Connell said it’s possible Jones could be activated in time for Thursday night’s game. Jordan Mason has emerged as the Vikings’ leading rusher, throwing for 380 yards and four touchdowns this season, but the Vikings have missed Jones particularly in their passing game.
O’Connell and the Vikings medical team put McCarthy through an on-field workout Tuesday morning. O’Connell said he wanted “clarity” on whether McCarthy could be a candidate to play Thursday.
Ultimately, McCarthy was still limited and the Vikings believe he could be at risk of injury again Thursday night. Assuming he isn’t called into emergency duty, McCarthy will miss his 22nd regular-season game in 24 opportunities due to injuries since the Vikings selected him with the 10th pick in the 2024 draft.
“We’re all pretty encouraged by his situation and the progress he’s making,” O’Connell said. “But he’s just not here.”
The assessment might have been different if the Vikings had had to play Sunday instead of Thursday.
When asked what threshold he wants to see McCarthy reach before allowing him to start, O’Connell said: “It depends on certain moves, reactionary moves within the pocket. Being able to use his athleticism to protect himself in the pocket and then his ability to progress.”
“I feel really satisfied with the work we have done based on its fundamentals,” he said. “It’s been pretty evident through the work that he’s done and really his commitment to doing it. It’s really just, ‘Hey, there’s maybe a guy going sharp and I don’t really know the move I’m going to have to make.’ That’s where he still feels it and if he doesn’t have the ability to do it without pain, we obviously risk setting him back, which would be very, very unfortunate with the time already wasted.”
McCarthy said last week that several second opinions suggested the injury could take up to six weeks to heal. That gives him a reasonable chance to return for the Vikings’ next game, Nov. 2 against the Lions.
Wentz, who has led the Vikings to a 2-2 record since replacing McCarthy, said Tuesday he isn’t thinking about what might happen after this week.
“My mindset is to 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, frankly. So let the future take care of itself, but the mindset is to go 1-0 this week and find a way to be as mentally and physically ready as possible on a short week.”
