For the third time in the last three seasons, the Minnesota Vikings have lost a quarterback to a season-ending injury before Week 9.
Two years ago, it was a Week 8 Achilles injury to Kirk Cousins. Last year, it was a torn meniscus that ended first-round pick J.J. McCarthy’s rookie season before it even began. This year, on Oct. 27, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Carson Wentz will land on injured reserve and miss the remainder of the 2025 season after undergoing a season-ending surgery on his left shoulder.
Wentz, 32, first injured his shoulder in a Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns. He had been wearing a brace on his arm in every game since. He was noticeably grimacing in pain and favoring his injured shoulder on ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Oct. 23.
Now, he’s undergoing surgery to repair the shoulder ailment and will miss the rest of the season.
McCarthy is expected to return from his ankle injury in Week 9’s game against the Detroit Lions. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who served as Wentz’ backup over the last several weeks, is expected to remain in that role behind McCarthy.
Carson Wentz injury update
Wentz will miss the remainder of the 2025 NFL season after he undergoes surgery to repair his left shoulder.
The veteran quarterback initially sustained the injury to his left shoulder in the Vikings’ Week 5 game in London against the Browns. After missing a couple of snaps in that game, he returned to action with a brace on his arm.
Wentz had worn a brace on his arm in the Vikings’ two games since as well. On Oct. 23, throughout the team’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ clash with the Los Angeles Chargers, the 10th-year quarterback was in clear pain, grimacing and clutching at his left shoulder.
After the game, Wentz told reporters it was ‘quite possibly’ the worst pain he had felt while playing in a game.
‘I’m just trying to do everything I can to help this team,’ he said. ‘I feel confident even with the pain, that I could help, that I can contribute and make plays and spread this ball around and I thought we did okay at times.
‘At the end of the day, I feel like I’m physically able to go whether it hurts or not. It is what it is.’
Wentz’s season is now over after going 2-3 in his five games as the Vikings’ starter.
Vikings QB depth chart
- J.J. McCarthy
- Max Brosmer
- Carson Wentz (IR – shoulder)
Wentz, a 10-year NFL veteran, began the season as Minnesota’s backup to the second-year McCarthy. When the youngster sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 2, Wentz was thrust into the starting role. His start in Week 3 made him the first quarterback ever to start a game for six different teams over a six-season span.
McCarthy will play out the remainder of his de facto rookie season after he missed all of last year with a torn meniscus he suffered in a preseason game. In Week 2’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, the second-year quarterback sustained a high ankle sprain and has missed every game since.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said McCarthy might have been able to play in Week 8 if their game were on a Sunday rather than on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ It was a good indication that McCarthy will be ready to go for Week 9’s clash with the Lions on Nov. 9.
