ESPN Hints at More Carson Wentz for Vikings
All things Minnesota Vikings are relatively quiet this week as the club enjoys a bye, but soon, “Who’s it going to be?” at quarterback chatter for Week 7 will pop. And according to ESPN, there’s a path for Carson Wentz to start at least one more game before J.J. McCarthy’s inevitable return.
The Vikings have a bye week right now, but within a few days, the quarterback discourse will turn white-hot regarding Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy.
Wentz has started the last three games in Minnesota, leading the franchise to a 2-1 record. ESPN claims he can’t be ruled out for a fourth consecutive start.
Carson Wentz Still in the Mix for QB1
The ESPN blurb is likely to elicit a mixed reaction from fans.
ESPN Leaves the Door Open for Carson Wentz to Start after Bye Week
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote extensively about Minnesota’s trip to Dublin and London this week, and tucked into that publication, he revealed the Wentz nugget.
“Through it all, O’Connell seemed to want McCarthy back on the field — but only after he advanced through a predetermined set of landmarks. That left the impression that Wentz could remain the starter after the Week 6 bye, when the Vikings will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 19,” Seifert opined.
Until that tidbit, most fans had operated under the pretense that McCarthy would likely get the nod after the bye. Seifert pumped the brakes on that momentum.
J.J. McCarthy Practicing This Week and Next
Why is the ESPN morsel about Wentz a bit surprising? Well, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters recently that McCarthy would begin practicing as early as this week and next, leading into the Week 7 showdown against Philadelphia.
Wentz has performed decently in McCarthy’s stead, but he really hasn’t done enough to force a true quarterback controversy. He ranks 26th in the NFL per QBR — outpaced by a player like Spencer Rattler, for example — and many consider him a decent game manager who could probably have his performance replicated by McCarthy.
It’s rather evident that McCarthy will return to the starting lineup when his high ankle sprain has healed. And with O’Connell declaring that his recovery is inching closer to the finish line, it might be strange to keep Wentz in the lineup.
Wentz’s Injured Shoulder
Meanwhile, Wentz injured his left shoulder in last weekend’s win over the Cleveland Browns. KARE11’s David Griswold noted, “Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz returned in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against Cleveland after injuring his left shoulder late in the first half.”
“The veteran quarterback went back to the locker room late in the second quarter while Minnesota’s defense was on the field for the closing minutes of the half. Rookie quarterback Max Brosmer took a knee to end the first half, but Wentz was out on the field for the Vikings’ first drive of the third quarter.”
O’Connell said the day after the win that Wentz was “pretty sore,” which is O’Connell speak for very sore.
No one knows if Wentz’s injury will threaten his Week 7 availability — 10 days away — or if the bye week will do a body good.
The Eagles Angle
Then there’s the Eagles subplot.
Philadelphia drafted Wentz with the second overall pick in 2016, and he had quite the run with the Eagles before the franchise unceremoniously discarded him for Jalen Hurts four drafts later. Wentz has played against Philadelphia one time since and lost, but if there were ever a quarterback ultra-motivated to beat the Eagles, it’s probably Wentz.
If ESPN has it right, and Wentz plays in Week 7, Wentz against his former team will be the game’s top storyline by a mile.
Otherwise, McCarthy’s return under center will be pretty damn noteworthy, as well.
More from ESPN on Wentz & the Vikings QB Situation
Seifert also noted this week, “McCarthy’s availability for games until the quarterback is healthy and ready to participate in a full week of practice. O’Connell has repeatedly referenced the practice McCarthy missed on Sept. 11, when his fiancée gave birth to their son.”
“Wentz, meanwhile, has played better in his three starts than McCarthy had in Weeks 1 and 2. Although Wentz’s QBR (41.4) ranks 27th in the NFL over the time period he has started, weighed down by a 10.2% sack rate, he has functioned admirably given his late-August arrival in Minnesota.”
The Eagles are already a three-point favorite per oddsmakers for the Week 7 contest.
“And it was only natural to compare O’Connell’s analysis of Wentz’s performance in the context of McCarthy’s struggles. Like many young players, McCarthy had appeared to move slowly through his progressions, compounding the pass protection issues created by an injury-ravaged offensive line,” Seifert continued.
“Wentz suffered an injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder against the Browns, protecting it with a harness during the second half, and O’Connell said that the injury will require further evaluation.”
The door is ajar for Wentz to start once again, but it just makes more sense to get McCarthy back in the lineup to continue his development.
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