Oct 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) warms up earlier than the sport in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos Whereas J.J. McCarthy is near a return, it will not come this week in opposition to his collegiate head coach.
Carson Wentz will make his fifth straight begin at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday evening in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers, led by former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, in Inglewood, Calif.
“J.J., the medical employees, myself, we’re all type of inspired with the place he is at and the progress he is making, however he is simply not there,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell stated. “If this was a Sunday recreation, perhaps it might be a little bit little bit of a unique story.”
Wentz’s time changing McCarthy, who has a sprained ankle, has been a blended bag. He has saved the Vikings (3-3) proper on the .500 document he inherited, successful two of his 4 begins whereas throwing for 1,072 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Final week, Wentz accomplished a season-low 61.9% of his passes and had no touchdowns and two picks in a 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Nonetheless, he did throw for 313 yards.
Requested about McCarthy’s pending return as quickly as subsequent week, Wentz denied fascinated with it.
“Mindset is to go win this recreation, on the finish of the day,” Wentz stated. “I am targeted on the right here and now. I haven’t got loads of time or vitality to consider past this one.”
After the Vikings have been diced by Jalen Hurts for 326 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday, they’ll face one other prolific passer on Thursday. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is coming off a career-best 420-yard passing efficiency with three touchdowns and two interceptions in 38-24 street loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
A big a part of these stats might be attributed to Oronde Gadsden II’s breakout efficiency. The rookie tight finish had his first profession landing catch on Sunday whereas amassing 164 yards on seven catches, greater than he had in his first 4 NFL video games mixed.
“Very gifted,” Harbaugh stated of Gadsden. “… Simply loads of drive and expertise.”
Regardless of being hit on an NFL-leading 62 dropbacks, Herbert now leads the league in passing yards (1,913) and is tied for sixth in passing TDs (13).
His spectacular exhibiting, although, could not cease Los Angeles from taking its third loss up to now 4 video games. After a 3-0 begin that consisted of a sweep of their AFC West foes, the Chargers (4-3) are actually tied for second place within the division with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (4-3), trailing the Denver Broncos (5-2).
The potential excellent news for Los Angeles is that Herbert could also be getting his left sort out again this week. Joe Alt, who moved from proper sort out to left when Rashawn Slater went down with a season-ending damage in coaching camp, was a restricted participant in observe on Tuesday. Harbaugh labeled him questionable to play after Alt missed the previous three video games with an ankle damage.
“He is doing every part and something he can to (play),” Harbaugh stated.
Alt’s return can be an enormous assist in opposition to a Vikings protection that ranks seventh in go protection (184.0 yards per recreation) and allowed greater than 200 passing yards for the primary time final week.
For Minnesota, fullback C.J. Ham (hand) and offensive sort out Brian O’Neill (knee) have been the one two gamers who did not observe on Tuesday. McCarthy, working again Zavier Scott (wrist) and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) have been restricted, as was working again Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) as his 21-day observe window for a return was opened. Wentz (left shoulder) was a full participant.
Together with Alt, Chargers offensive sort out Austin Deculus (ankle), guard/sort out Trey Pipkins III (knee), linebacker Troy Dye (thumb), offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (knee) and defensive again Elijah Molden (thumb) have been restricted on Tuesday. Working again Hassan Haskins (hamstring) and defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell (sickness) didn’t observe.
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