Vikings' Carson Wentz: Slated for season-ending surgery
Rotowire
Wentz is expected to undergo season-ending surgery to address his left shoulder injury, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Wentz played the majority of snaps in Minnesota's last five games with J.J. McCarthy (ankle) working his way back from a multi-week injury, but the veteran was clearly playing through pain during last Thursday's 37-10 loss to the Chargers. Per Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Vikings have officially placed Wentz on IR. The transaction confirms that McCarthy will start Sunday's road matchup against the Lions, if healthy, and leaves Max Brosmer in position to handle No. 2 quarterback duties for Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Likely back to bench Week 9
Rotowire
Wentz (shoulder) is expected to cede the starting quarterback role to J.J. McCarthy (ankle) in Week 9 against the Lions, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Wentz's injury may be a bigger concern than McCarthy's at this point, as Wentz played through significant pain while using a harness on his left non-throwing shoulder in Thursday's 37-10 loss to the Chargers. Wentz was listed as a full participant in practice Tuesday and Wednesday, but those were practice estimates as the Vikings held walkthroughs. Even if Wentz is medically cleared to take the field Week 9, McCarthy has been steadily progressing in his recovery from an ankle injury and should be ready to take the reins by Sunday, Nov. 2.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Ragged showing in Week 8 loss
Rotowire
Wentz completed 15 of 27 passes for 144 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Vikings' 37-10 loss to the Chargers on Thursday night. He also fumbled once but recovered.
Wentz's final stat line essentially underscores how difficult a night it was for the veteran quarterback against a defense that sacked him five times, as he worked through a painful left (non-throwing) shoulder issue, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The 2016 second overall pick finished with a meager 67.5 QB rating and essentially sealed the loss with his one pick, which came at the Chargers' 33-yard line early in the fourth quarter on a pass intended for Justin Jefferson. Wentz certainly has had his moments during his five-game starting tenure, but his days as the top quarterback may be over for the time being because J.J. McCarthy (ankle) should have a chance to return for a Week 9 divisional road clash against the Lions on Sunday, Nov. 2.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Full participant Tuesday
Rotowire
Wentz (shoulder) was a full participant at Tuesday's walk-through practice.
Minnesota listed Wentz as a limited participant Monday on its initial Week 8 practice report due to his lingering left shoulder injury, but the quarterback never seemed to be at any risk of missing Thursday's game against the Chargers. Head coach Kevin O'Connell put to rest any concern about Wentz's status earlier Tuesday, announcing that the 32-year-old will make his fifth consecutive start Thursday while J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is set to be inactive as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback. McCarthy is expected to reclaim starting duties once he's deemed 100 percent healthy, something that could happen as soon as Week 9 in Detroit. Over his prior four starts, Wentz has gone 2-2 while completing 66.9 percent of his passes for 7.5 yards per attempt and tossing five touchdowns against four interceptions.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Remaining starter for Week 8
Rotowire
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that Wentz (shoulder) will start at quarterback in Thursday's game against the Chargers in Los Angeles.
Though J.J. McCarthy is expected to regain his spot as the Vikings' starting quarterback once he's 100 percent healthy, O'Connell conceded that the second-year signal-caller is "just not there" in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. O'Connell indicated that McCarthy was able to go through an on-field workout Tuesday and may have had a shot at returning this week if the Vikings were playing on a Sunday, so the 22-year-old appears to be on track to start in Week 9 versus Detroit. For at least one more game however, the Vikings will stick with Wentz, who has been tending to an injury to his non-throwing shoulder since Week 5 but isn't expected to face any limitations Thursday. Through his first four starts, Wentz has completed 95 of 142 pass attempts (66.9 percent) for 1,072 yards (7.5 YPA) and a 5:4 TD:INT while adding 57 yards on 11 carries.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Limited on estimated report
Rotowire
Wentz (left shoulder) was listed as limited on Monday's practice estimate, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.
Wentz initially injured his left non-throwing shoulder in Week 5 against the Browns but was able to suit up Sunday against the Eagles following a Week 6 bye. He completed 26 of 42 passes for 313 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions and tallied four carries for 28 yards. Wentz is averaging 268 passing yards per start and has a 5:4 TD:INT in his four-game starting stint in place of second-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy, who remains in recovery mode from the high right-ankle sprain that he suffered in Week 2. McCarthy also was listed as limited Monday, but Wentz appears poised to lead Minnesota's offense again Thursday against the Chargers.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Mixed bag in Week 7 loss
Rotowire
Wentz completed 26 of 42 passes for 313 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions and added four rushes for 28 yards in the Vikings' 28-22 loss to the Eagles on Sunday. He also fumbled once but recovered.
Facing the team that drafted him second overall back in 2016, Wentz put together a fantasy-friendly effort save for his pair of interceptions, one which was a pick-six. The veteran signal-caller connected on completions of 25-plus yards with each of his top three receivers -- Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor -- and he saw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to T.J. Hockenson reversed on replay when it was determined the tight end didn't maintain control all the way through his attempted catch. Wentz's yardage total marked his second time eclipsing the 300-yard threshold during his four-game starting tenure, and he projects to remain under center for Thursday night's Week 8 road matchup against the Chargers since the Vikings are expected to give J.J. McCarthy (ankle) one more game before potentially reinserting him into action.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Named Week 7 starter
Rotowire
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that Wentz will start at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Eagles, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Max Brosmer will handle the backup role in Week 7 while J.J. McCarthy serves as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback as he continues his recovery from a high-ankle sprain. Wentz's fourth start of 2025 comes against the team that drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick back in 2016. He's played reasonably well for the Vikings so far, completing 69 percent of passes for 7.6 yards per attempt, with per-game averages of 33.3 attempts, 253.0 yards and 1.6 touchdowns. Minnesota's offense is fantasy-friendly for quarterbacks, but Wentz doesn't add much on the ground (29 yards, no scores) and has a well-earned reputation for untimely mistakes.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Back on practice field
Rotowire
Wentz (shoulder) was able to practice Monday, Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Wentz contended with soreness in his non-throwing shoulder during the Vikings' Oct. 6 win over the Browns in London, but he was able to finish out the contest. He appears to have made some progress in his recovery over the Vikings' Week 7 bye, though it won't be clear until Wednesday whether he's participating in practice as a full participant. J.J. McCarthy (ankle) also returned to practice Monday for the first time since Sept. 14, so even if his shoulder proves to be a non-issue, Wentz may move to the bench for Sunday's game against the Eagles after starting in each of the previous three games. The Vikings will likely gauge the health of McCarthy and Wentz throughout the week of practice before announcing a starter for Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Shoulder being evaluated
Rotowire
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Wentz's left shoulder injury will be further evaluated this week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Wentz briefly left Sunday's game against the Browns in London and went to the locker room early just before halftime, but he was under center after the break and was able to finish the contest. The injury was to his left, non-throwing shoulder. With J.J. McCarthy (ankle) likely to return to practice at some point following the Vikings' upcoming Week 6 bye, McCarthy could be back under center Week 7 against the Eagles.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Toughs out shoulder issue in win
Rotowire
Wentz completed 25 of 34 passes for 236 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions while adding three rushes for 13 yards in the Vikings' 21-17 win over the Browns in London on Sunday.
Wentz exited the game with a left shoulder injury late in the second quarter, although he technically only missed the end-of-half kneel-down play before returning to start the second half. The veteran quarterback's presence would end up proving critical in the Vikings' comeback win, as Wentz battled through the injury and a ferocious Browns pass rush to ultimately helm a game-winning 10-play, 80-yard march that he capped off with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison. Wentz went a blistering 9-for-9 on that final drive, capping off what might have been the final installment of his current starting tenure in fine fashion. Minnesota now heads into a Week 6 bye, and J.J. McCarthy (ankle) may be ready to return to action when the Eagles pay a visit for a Week 7 matchup on Sunday, Oct. 19.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Returns to Sunday's game
Rotowire
Wentz returned to Sunday's game against the Browns for the third quarter after having exited with a left shoulder injury in the second quarter.
Wentz will thus look to help the Vikings overcome a 10-7 halftime deficit, with Max Brosmer on hand should the veteran signal-caller suffer any setbacks with his (non-throwing) shoulder.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Headed for another start
Rotowire
Wentz is slated to start at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Browns in London, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
With J.J. McCarthy (ankle) having yet to resume practicing and set to miss his third straight game Sunday, Wentz will pick up another start, including his second in a row overseas. Through his first two games at the helm, Wentz has guided the Vikings to a 1-1 record while completing 44 of 66 pass attempts for 523 yards and four touchdowns. However, despite his generally efficient play, Wentz has been prone to some sloppiness, as he's tossed two interceptions and has taken nine sacks behind a banged-up offensive line. The Vikings will once again be without three starting offensive linemen in Week 5 against a stout Browns defense, which could render Wentz an unreliable fantasy option in leagues that start just one quarterback. Minnesota is on bye for Week 6, so the health of McCarthy in addition to Wentz's performance against the Browns will both be factors in determining which of the two quarterbacks will garner the start Week 7 versus the Eagles.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: QBs to Sit
Rotowire
Wentz is averaging 22.3 Fantasy points in two starts for the Vikings, but he has a brutal matchup in Week 5 against Cleveland in London. The Browns have held Jared Goff, Jordan Love and Joe Burrow to 16.5 Fantasy points or less, and this feels like a low-scoring affair with Dillon Gabriel now starting for Cleveland. Wentz will likely be a game-manager in this matchup, and he's only worth starting in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Week 5 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
I'd only be looking at Wentz as someone to add in deeper, one-quarterback leagues if you expect him to remain Minnesota's starter after the Week 6 bye. You can't trust Wentz at Cleveland in London in Week 5, and then we'll see if J.J. McCarthy (ankle) will get his job back. Wentz had an up-and-down game against Pittsburgh in Ireland because he took a beating with six sacks, but he also rallied the Vikings in the fourth quarter and finished with 350 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, along with 12 rushing yards. He could be useful long-term, but we don't know what Minnesota will do when McCarthy is able to play. Wentz is only worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Big volume in Week 4 loss
Rotowire
Wentz completed 30 of 46 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Steelers in Dublin. He added 12 rushing yards on two carries and also threw a two-point conversion to Jalen Nailor.
The Vikings lost right tackle Brian O'Neill to a knee injury and center Ryan Kelly to a concussion in the first half, and Wentz was under constant pressure as a result, getting sacked six times in total. Minnesota headed into the fourth quarter staring at a 21-6 deficit, but Wentz was able to lead a comeback that fell just short, hitting Zavier Scott for a 16-yard TD and Nailor for a two-yard score inside the final four minutes. On the other hand, the veteran QB almost threw a third INT in crunch time, only to have it overturned upon review. With J.J. McCarthy (ankle) not quite 100 percent yet, Wentz is expected to get another start in London for a Week 5 clash with the Browns, but he'll need to take better care of the ball to have a shot at retaining the job when the Vikings return from Europe.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Sleeper QBs
Rotowire
Wentz scored 19.3 Fantasy points in his first start for J.J. McCarthy (ankle) in Week 3 against Cincinnati, but Wentz didn't have to do much in a 48-10 victory. He only attempted 20 passes and completed 14 for 173 yards and two touchdowns, and he added 4 rushing yards. Wentz has another favorable matchup in Week 4 against the Steelers in Ireland, and he's getting Jordan Addison back this week after the was suspended for the first three games of the season. Justin Fields, Sam Darnold and Drake Maye all scored at least 19.8 Fantasy points against Pittsburgh, and Wentz is worth using as a low-end starter in deep, one-quarterback leagues.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Two TDs in Sunday's start
Rotowire
Wentz completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while adding two rush attempts for four yards in the Vikings' 48-10 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
Making the first of what project to be multiple starts in place of J.J. McCarthy (ankle), Wentz enjoyed some good fortune in the form of game script. The veteran signal-caller certainly had a hand in that by connecting with Josh Oliver on a 12-yard touchdown pass to cap off the opening possession, and the Vikings' defense's ability to repeatedly stymie fellow backup-turned-starter Jake Browning also played out favorably for Wentz in terms of being able to continue running a balanced offense. The Vikings eventually ran away with the game beginning in the second quarter, leaving Wentz in a low-pressure scenario that he thrived in. With McCarthy's recovery expected to take multiple weeks, Wentz projects to remain under center when the Vikings face off with the Steelers in Dublin, Ireland next Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Week 3 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is out for Week 3 against the Bengals, and we'll see if he can return in Week 4. Wentz will start for the Vikings, and he should be considered a sleeper in all leagues. Wentz can hopefully benefit from playing in Kevin O'Connell's offense and throwing to Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Adam Thielen in this matchup against the Bengals. It could be a fun game with Wentz vs. Browning, and Wentz is worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB in one-quarterback leagues and at least 10 percent of your remaining FAB in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Carson Wentz: Candidate for Week 3 start
Rotowire
Wentz could start at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Bengals with the status of J.J. McCarthy (ankle) uncertain, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hasn't yet ruled out McCarthy for Week 3, but he said Monday that the second-year quarterback's status for the matchup with Cincinnati is unclear due to a high-ankle sprain, leaving Wentz in a position to step in under center. With Joe Burrow (toe) in line for an extended absence of his own, the Week 3 matchup could feature a battle of backup quarterbacks, with Wentz potentially facing off against the Bengals' Jake Browning. Meanwhile, Jordan Addison will finish out his three-game suspension this Sunday, and Aaron Jones (hamstring) appears unlikely to play against Cincinnati, leaving wideouts Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor and Adam Thielen, running back Jordan Mason and tight end T.J. Hockenson as the top skill-position weapons available for Week 3.
