There’s a Vikings QB Injury Update

Carson Wentz led the Minnesota Vikings at quarterback for five games in 2025, guiding the club to a 2-3 record and helping to keep the season afloat when J.J. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain. In two of those games, Wentz played through a torn labrum, and thanks to Wentz personally, there’s a new injury update.

The veteran passer now sounds ready for whatever backup role Minnesota has planned.

In short, the man claims he’s ready to roll.

Wentz’s Shoulder No Longer Sounds Like a Concern

Wentz will likely slide in as Minnesota’s QB3 this autumn.

Wentz: I’m Healed

Speaking to KFRY-TV’s Luke Gamble on Tuesday, Wentz said he was ready for 2026: “Physically, I feel great. Shoulder’s more or less behind me now. It wasn’t fun by any means, but surgery went well, and rehab’s gone really well too. So for me, it’s behind me. I’m healthy, and I’ll be ready to roll.”

Wentz injured his shoulder in October, so it makes all the sense in the world that he would be ready by May. And here we are.

If the Vikings need Wentz this year — ideally, they will not — he’s ready to get under center.

The 2025 Output

The Vikings’ offense demonstrated significantly more stability with Wentz at quarterback, as reflected in their scoring. Minnesota exceeded 20 points in four of Wentz’s five starts, including a 48-point performance against Cincinnati. In contrast, McCarthy reached the 20-point mark only four times across his 10 starts. While Wentz’s offense wasn’t consistently explosive, it generally sustained drives and maintained a steady pace.

This consistent play was particularly crucial given the challenging circumstances. Aaron Jones appeared in only one of Wentz’s five starts, and the offensive line experienced several injuries throughout the season. Wentz adapted by making quick decisions, favoring shorter passes, and playing efficient football to minimize negative plays.

McCarthy, however, exhibited a more inconsistent performance. The rookie occasionally showcased big-play potential by being willing to take on riskier throws, but he often lacked the rhythm needed to sustain drives. This disparity is evident in advanced metrics: among quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks in 2025, Wentz ranked 25th in EPA per play, while McCarthy was 37th.

Wentz concluded his tenure with a 65.1% completion rate, 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. While the Vikings may not have anticipated such stability from him, his performance was a notable aspect of the 2025 season.

These two quarterbacks could compete for the backup position behind Kyler Murray this summer if McCarthy has not taken his next developmental step.

Earning Fans’ Respect

Because Wentz displayed supreme toughness, he won the hearts of Vikings fans. In his final 2025 game, a loss at the Los Angeles Chargers, Wentz was in visible agony but told head coach Kevin O’Connell to leave him in the contest, hell or high water. O’Connell recognized the importance of the feat to Wentz and allowed it. It also helped that the alternative, Max Brosmer, wasn’t very game-ready as a rookie.

Overall, fans loved Wentz’s grit, so when he re-signed this offseason, nearly all Vikings fans applauded the transaction, naming Wentz as the perfect candidate to hold down the fort at QB3.

Wentz’s Role in 2026

O’Connell talked about Wentz’s role this season, making it clear that Wentz is in Minnesota for a second act because of insurance.

He said, “I just think it’s about depth. It’s about the fact that, without too much of a rearview-mirror-looking backward, you see where the final standings were; where we were at 9-8 and ultimately maybe the one or two or three plays or sequences of games where you find your way into the dance.”

“That’s really all you ever want at the beginning of every year is to punch your ticket to compete in that one game to continue moving on. We’ve played three guys in one year. We’ve played four in another.”

After Wentz re-signed, some fans strangely claimed that he would take McCarthy’s job or that McCarthy could be traded. Instead, there’s a world for all — Murray at QB1, McCarthy at QB2, and Wentz at QB3. McCarthy has not been traded.

O’Connell added, “We just feel like having the ability to get quality quarterback play throughout the circumstances we do not control throughout the season gives our team pretty historic data that says if we get quarterback play to a certain line, we win a lot of football games.”

“So, we wanted to ensure we are able to do that, but also make it a very, very competitive room, and that’s regardless of who’s taking reps with what group. We want the quarterback position to elevate our team, and with the talent we have around that position, we feel pretty good about it also working vice versa, the other way around.”

Vikings training camp is about 12 weeks away.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker