Vikings holding off on long-term QB decision with Carson Wentz to start on Sunday vs. Eagles

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The Vikings return from their bye week with Carson Wentz as their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Eagles, with the former Philadelphia first-rounder set to face his former team.

Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy, the 2024 first-round pick who began the season as the starter, will be the Vikings’ emergency third QB as he recovers from a Week 2 high ankle sprain.

The question of how to handle the QB situation has been a constant one for Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell each time he has addressed the media of late. He has avoided making any declarations until McCarthy is fully healthy.

The reality is, he doesn’t need to.

Wentz, by the way, is also dealing with a left shoulder injury, one that has necessitated a harness after he injured it before the Vikings’ Week 6 bye. But because the injury is to his non-throwing shoulder, Wentz is able to play through it.

Wentz signed a one-year deal with Minnesota in August after the Vikings traded backup Sam Howell to the Eagles. Wentz has eclipsed a 100 passer rating in two of his three starts this season, throwing for 759 yards with five TDs to two interceptions in relief duty.

McCarthy returned to practice on Monday, about a month after sustaining a high ankle sprain he described to reporters as “annoying.” McCarthy was a limited participant in practice throughout the week and was listed as questionable for Week 7 on Friday’s injury report.

Some players with an injury like McCarthy’s have returned to the field after three or four weeks, but it takes longer for others.

McCarthy also spent three days during the bye week working one-on-one with O’Connell and QB coach Josh McCown, aiming to accelerate his progress.

After he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week following the season opener, McCarthy missed a Week 2 practice due to the birth of his son. He then injured his ankle, sidelining him from more practice time and development.

“[It] didn’t even hit me ’til we were out there (together) — he had practiced one time since we left Chicago,” O’Connell said this past week.

Keep in mind, O’Connell is a coach who said last year on The Rich Eisen Show , “I believe organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations.”

So, why put McCarthy out on the field when he’s not there yet health-wise?

It appears the whole world wants the Vikings to make a decision on their QB moving forward, while Minnesota is more focused on McCarthy’s development and when he’s ready — especially because he didn’t play as a rookie after suffering a preseason knee injury.

If Wentz wins this week, would it make sense to remove him as the starter for a healthy McCarthy? Coaches often roll with the hot hand.

If that’s the case, McCarthy would simply wait and learn, while getting in some quality practice time.

Meanwhile, the Vikings will go out Sunday and try to win a football game with Wentz starting.

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