EAGAN, Minn. (Oct. 27, 2025) — The Minnesota Vikings’ roller-coaster quarterback saga took another turn Monday as veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz was ruled out for the remainder of the season. The 32-year-old will undergo season-ending surgery to repair significant damage to his left shoulder — including a dislocation, torn labrum, and fractured socket — an injury he originally suffered on October 5 while filling in for rookie starter J.J. McCarthy.

The decision ends Wentz’s brief but gritty stint in Minnesota, one that saw him battle through severe pain to keep the Vikings’ season afloat. He made five starts, posting a 2–3 record, before the injury became too much to endure.

Wentz’s Grueling Effort Comes to a Painful End

Wentz first sustained the shoulder injury during a Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns in London, taking three hard hits in the opening half — the final blow coming from linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Despite the pain, Wentz missed only one snap, returning to lead a go-ahead touchdown drive in a 21–17 victory.

Following the team’s bye week, the veteran attempted to play through the injury, using a specialized shoulder harness and multiple wraps. But as the weeks progressed, the damage deepened. In the Vikings’ Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Wentz was visibly limited, grimacing after nearly every throw.

“It quite possibly was the most pain I’ve ever been in during a football game,” Wentz admitted afterward. “I felt like I could still help this team and find a way to go down and score. We knew coming into the game it was going to be part of it.”

Wentz finished that contest completing 15-of-27 passes for 144 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and five sacks in a 37–10 defeat. Frustration boiled over late in the fourth quarter when, after being hit on a fourth-down incompletion, Wentz slammed his helmet on the sideline — later apologizing to the equipment staff.

McCarthy Returns as Vikings Reset at Quarterback

With Wentz headed for injured reserve, the Vikings turn their offense back over to J.J. McCarthy, who is expected to return this Sunday against the Detroit Lions after recovering from a high right ankle sprain. The rookie’s mobility and poise had impressed coaches early in the season before his setback.

That leaves undrafted rookie Max Brosmer as the team’s only active backup. The Vikings could look to add depth via free agency or the practice squad, with options including Desmond Ridder, who spent three weeks with the team earlier this year, and Brett Rypien, currently on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said postgame that he and the medical staff constantly evaluated Wentz’s condition during the Chargers game but chose to keep him in until the outcome was beyond reach.
“Carson’s a veteran player, and he understands some of our circumstances,” O’Connell said. “It’s difficult to ask a rookie to step in for his first NFL snaps in that environment. Carson wanted to battle, and I respect that.”

A Career Defined by Perseverance

Wentz made NFL history this season by starting for his sixth team in six years, a testament to his resilience and adaptability. Signed by Minnesota on August 24, shortly after the team traded away Sam Howell, Wentz provided immediate stability under center.

Once an MVP candidate with the Philadelphia Eagles, Wentz’s career has since been defined by injuries and transitions, including stops with the Colts, Commanders, Rams, and Raiders before landing in Minnesota. Despite flashes of the talent that once made him a franchise cornerstone, his latest setback again halts momentum just as he appeared to be finding footing.

Next Steps for the Vikings

The Vikings (currently 3–5) now face a pivotal stretch as McCarthy returns to lead an offense searching for consistency. O’Connell emphasized that while losing a veteran presence like Wentz is a blow, the team’s focus remains on stability and growth under the rookie quarterback.

Meanwhile, Minnesota used Wentz’s vacated roster spot to sign tight end Ben Sims, who spent time in the team’s 2023 training camp and was recently waived by the Green Bay Packers.

As for Wentz, surgery will mark the beginning of another grueling rehabilitation process — one that could determine whether he continues his NFL journey. For a player whose career has been defined by both promise and perseverance, Monday’s news is yet another hard hit — both literally and figuratively.

“The pain is pain,” Wentz said. “But I’ll keep fighting, just like I always have.”