JJ McCarthy is set to return to the Minnesota Vikings’ starting lineup as their QB1.
However, it comes at a painful price with fellow quarterback Carson Wentz heading to injured reserve after it was announced that he will have season-ending shoulder surgery:
NEWS: Vikings QB Carson Wentz is undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shoulder, sources tell me and @aleclewis.bsky.social. He will be placed on IR. Wentz played multiple games with the injury. J.J. McCarthy is in line to start for Minnesota in Week 9 against Detroit.[image or embed]
— Dianna Russini (@diannarussini.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 3:54 PMThe Athletic’s Dianna Russini has more on the Carson Wentz injury, which sounds really rough.
Wentz, 32, became the Vikings’ starting quarterback in Week 3 after JJ McCarthy struggled for seven of the first eight quarters he played over the span of his first two games in the NFL. McCarthy’s struggles, combined with an injury that sidelined him for five games, led to the veteran Wentz to enter the starting lineup. Minnesota went 2-3 while Wentz was starting. As a starter, Wentz completed 110 of 169 passes (65.1 percent), threw for 1,216 yards, tossed 6 touchdowns, was intercepted 5 times, and posted an 85.8 passer rating. But now, he turns it over to McCarthy, who resumes his role as the starter for Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell.
Things have lined up for JJ McCarthy’s return to the Vikings lineup
NFC Offensive Player of the Week award for his efforts in Week 1 be damned, JJ McCarthy wasn’t playing well when he was sidelined. Whether it was an injury or a soft-benching from a coaching staff that knew its quarterback needed some more time to develop is irrelevant. The numbers weren’t pretty from McCarthy’s two-week stint as a starter to open the year. McCarthy completed 24 of 41 passes (58.5 percent) for 301 yards. He threw more interceptions (3) than touchdowns (2), and posted a 67.2 passer rating.
AROUND THE NFL — WEEK 8
No matter what the Vikings say on the matter, I can’t be convinced that JJ McCarthy was sent to the bench in order to learn and develop as a backup. Considering the beating Carson Wentz took while in the starting lineup, I can understand why Minnesota was cautious when it came to bringing McCarthy back from an injury. During his five-game run as a starter, Wentz was sacked 19 times (at a 10.1 percent clip) and took 38 quarterback hits. It was almost as if he was being treated like a sacrificial lamb out there for those five games.
What awaits the JJ McCarthy as he returns to the starting lineup? A date with the Detroit Lions in Week 9, a showdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10, a rematch against the Chicago Bears in Week 11, and a game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12. Buckle up, young fella.
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) under center against the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY SportsHence then, the article about vikings finally get some qb clarity jj mccarthy is back as carson wentz s season comes to an end was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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