The Minnesota Vikings will be without quarterback Carson Wentz for the remainder of the season. The team announced Monday that Wentz has been placed on injured reserve and is expected to undergo surgery on his non-throwing shoulder.
Wentz stepped into the starting role earlier this season after J.J. McCarthy suffered an ankle injury. His first start was September 21 against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he led the Vikings to a dominant 48-10 victory. However, the team only managed one more win in his subsequent four starts.
In those five games, Wentz accumulated 1,216 passing yards, throwing for six touchdowns and five interceptions.
According to reports, Wentz had been playing with the shoulder injury for several weeks. With Wentz sidelined, J.J. McCarthy is expected to return as the starting quarterback when the Vikings face the Detroit Lions in Week 9.
Wentz was initially drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles as the second overall pick in 2016. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 and was considered a strong contender for the league’s Most Valuable Player award before an injury cut his season short. That year, backup quarterback Nick Foles took over and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory.
Since then, Wentz’s career has seen several changes. He found himself competing for the starting position with Foles, and later, the Eagles drafted Jalen Hurts, who eventually became the team’s long-term quarterback.
Since the 2020 season, Wentz has played for multiple teams. Before joining the Vikings, he had stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Currently, the Vikings have a record of 3-4 as they head into Week 9. The team will need to improve their winning record to strengthen their chances of making the playoffs. The Vikings will face a tough test against the Detroit Lions who are looking to improve their position in the NFC North division. The Vikings will be looking to McCarthy to lead the team to victory.
