Carson Wentz‘s debut campaign with the Vikings has come to an end. The shoulder injury Minnesota’s fill-in quarterback has been dealing with will lead to surgery. 
Wentz played through significant pain in his non-throwing shoulder including the team’s Thursday night loss to open Week 8. Testing on the injury has led to the decision to undergo surgery. Wentz will be out for the remainder of the season as a result, as first reported by Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis of The Athletic.
Providing details on the ailment, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero add Wentz suffered a dislocation during the Vikings’ London game (Week 5). That caused a torn labrum and a fractured socket, something Wentz played through for another two contests before ultimately being shut down for rest of the campaign.
The Vikings have since moved Wentz to injured reserve. The 32-year-old was added late in the offseason as Minnesota’s depth chart under center was shaken up not long before the start of the campaign. Wentz would up taking on starting duties for a notable stretch after J.J. McCarthy went down with an ankle sprain. Minnesota went 2-3 in the games started by Wentz, who will now turn his attention to a lengthy rehab process.
McCarthy’s recovery has been closely monitored by the Vikings, but Week 9 is the target for him to return to action. Provided that takes place, the 2024 first-rounder will be able to remain atop the depth chart barring any further injuries. Minnesota will of course be in the market for a depth addition at the quarterback spot now, though, seeing as undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is the only other healthy signal-caller in the organization as things stand.
Wentz is four years removed from his last full campaign as a QB1 (when he served as Indianapolis’ starter in 2021). Since then, the former No. 2 pick has seen time with the Commanders, Rams, Chiefs and Vikings. Through much of that period, he has operated as a backup or dealt with injuries. Wentz inked a one-year deal to head to Minnesota, so he is a pending free agent.
This injury – and his performances when on the field – will hurt Wentz’s chances of landing a notable deal on the open market next spring. Nevertheless, he will represent one of the most experienced QB2 options available in the event he opts to continue his career when healthy.