.jpg)
2 hours ago
3
The Minnesota Vikings have already matched their loss total from 2024 after eschewing Sam Darnold for J.J. McCarthy, but much of the blame can't be pinned on McCarthy.
The second-year quarterback has missed all but two games with an ankle injury suffered late in a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. While McCarthy largely struggled in his first NFL action, the jury remains out on his viability as a franchise quarterback.
Carson Wentz, brought in just two weeks before the start of the season to replace Sam Howell as McCarthy's backup, has filled the void for while McCarthy has been out, but he sustained his own shoulder injury in the process.
Here's a closer look at the Vikings' quarterback depth chart, with McCarthy expected back for Week 9.
Vikings QB depth chart
| QB | Player |
| 1 | J.J. McCarthy |
| 2 | Max Brosmer |
| 3 | Carson Wentz -- IR |
1. J.J. McCarthy
There isn’t any reason to believe McCarthy won’t be the Vikings' starter once fully healthy, but Kevin O’Connell is staying patient with the former Michigan star’s recovery from a high-ankle sprain. McCarthy is recovered enough to serve as Minnesota's emergency No. 3 quarterback behind Wentz and Brosmer, a role that would put him in line to return if both players ahead of him have to exit with injuries, though he is otherwise expected to return in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions.
MORE: Why did Kirk Cousins leave the Vikings in free agency?
2. Max Brosmer
If Wentz has to exit against the Chargers, rookie Max Brosmer would take his place. The 24-year-old has had quite a journey, spending his first five collegiate seasons at FCS New Hampshire before transferring to Minnesota and putting together a respectable year with 2,828 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions under head coach P.J. Fleck. Brosmer went undrafted but stayed put by signing with the Vikings and making the team's roster as the emergency No. 3 quarterback behind Wentz and McCarthy. With the injury to Wentz, he will now be the backup.
3. Carson Wentz
Wentz went unsigned until late August but has provided the Vikings with capable quarterback play since stepping in for McCarthy in Week 3. The well-traveled veteran has wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, but turnovers cost him in narrow losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles before a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
With McCarthy set to return in Week 9, Wentz elected to finally get surgery on his injured left shoulder, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Given his age and the fact that he was a free agent to begin the year before Minnesota signed him, the veteran quarterback's career could be over.
Carson Wentz injury
Wentz was playing through immense pain in his final game. He still kept going out there despite the Vikings' deficit, trying his best to keep Minnesota in the action rather than having to turn to Brosmer.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 27, 2025With McCarthy expected back, the veteran quarterback is finally able to step back and get the shoulder surgery that he needs. It does come at the cost of ending his season, but he showed immense toughness playing through it as long as he did.
MORE: Carson Wentz teams timeline
How long is J.J. McCarthy out?
The Vikings have monitored McCarthy's status week by week since he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 2, but reports indicated he was at risk of missing several weeks, and the injury has now cost him five games.
Fortunately, a return seems to be on the horizon. O’Connell told reporters McCarthy would have had a chance to start if the Vikings had played on Sunday rather than Thursday in Week 8, indicating the 22-year-old is expected to return against the Lions in Week 9.
McCarthy recently called the injury "annoying" because it has continued to linger, but he appears to be making progress, even if only slowly.
English (US)