Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
It’s a short week for the Minnesota Vikings after they experienced a slow and consistent level of embarrassment from the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. While the 28-22 score doesn’t look awful, Carson Wentz and Kevin O’Connell continued to do less with more all game long.
Now they have to quickly turn the page with a Thursday Night Football contest in Los Angeles on deck. The Chargers, on the road, are another difficult opponent for Minnesota during this gauntlet of a midseason stretch. While the team didn’t officially practice on Monday, the first Week 8 injury report shared some insight.
No healthy starting QB for the Minnesota Vikings
Despite being healthy enough to operated as the emergency quarterback, and be in uniform, Kevin O’Connell had J.J. McCarthy as his third-string option. Carson Wentz got the start, and if his left shoulder wasn’t still ailing, it is now after being hit all game. Both start this week with a murky status.
The #Vikings first injury report of Week 8.
The team did not conduct a practice and participation is an estimate. pic.twitter.com/HUQTwAKwj3
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 20, 2025
The Vikings have continued to play coy about the status of their quarterback on a weekly basis. McCarthy is seemingly not 100%, but it’s also clear O’Connell doesn’t see him as developmentally ready either. The latter is more a problem than the former at this stage of his career, but it’s a reflection of his inability to stay healthy.
Before Sunday’s game against the Eagles, there was a report that Wentz would start Week 8, and that his runway was wide open should he play well. Of course, Wentz didn’t play well. He threw two interceptions, missed multiple open touchdown throws, and was sacked twice.
It was fine to let Wentz have his revenge game against the Philadelphia Eagles. It would be a fun storyline to see McCarthy return against his college quarterback Jim Harbaugh. Either way, Tuesday’s practice should give a clearer indication of Thursday’s plans.
Veterans are worth watching for MN Vikings
Brian O’Neill returned to action after suffering a sprained MCL. The hope would be that he made it through the game no worse for the wear, and that his DNP designation is reflective of what would have been a veteran rest day. C.J. Ham also spent time on injured reserve this season, and giving him extra days off makes sense as well.
Their veteran counterpart, Andrew Van Ginkel, remained limited. He has missed multiple games this season due to a nagging neck injury and reports haven’t been great. He did get in action on a side field last week, but it never appeared as though he was in line to play.
Injuries have been a key deterrent of success this season for Minnesota. The Vikings have trended in a positive direction of late, and if there’s any way they salvage the season, that will need to continue.
Mentioned in this article: Andrew Van Ginkel Brian O'Neill Carson Wentz J.J. McCarthy More About: Minnesota Vikings