Carson Wentz’s Extremely Poor Outing Against Chargers Has Vikings Fans Concerned About Their Near Future

Carson Wentz was sacked 5 times by the Chargers defenders on TNF.

Carson Wentz’s Extremely Poor Outing Against Chargers Has Vikings Fans Concerned About Their Near Future

Carson Wentz (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Carson Wentz arrived in Los Angeles in Week 8 to play against the Chargers with a banged-up left shoulder, which he suffered in Week 5 in London. Nobody would have blamed the 32-year-old backup if he had tapped out on Thursday night after the beating he took at the hands of the Chargers’ defense.

The Minnesota Vikings had a tough time with a makeshift offensive line, but there were still chances to grow and improve. With key players like Brian O’Neill out because of a knee injury and Christian Darrisaw dealing with a lingering knee issue from last season, the team needed to adapt quickly. Justin Skule jumped in to play a different position. These changes did little to protect the 6-foot-5 shot caller.

The Chargers’ pass rushers took turns landing nine hits on Wentz and five sacks across the four quarters. By the end of the game, the 32-year-old looked battered and bruised, but kept trodding on.

His shoulder was clearly giving him a hard time. On top of it, midway through, Wentz hit his throwing hand on a helmet to double the pain meter.

Carson Wentz finished with 15 completions from 27 tries for 144 yards, one touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson, and an interception to Chargers safety RJ Mickens.

The Vikings did Carson Wentz no favors

Wentz got his break for the Vikings after second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy went down injured in Week 2. He has held down the Vikings quarterback job since then, yielding two wins and three losses (including the Chargers game).

Carson Wentz's Extremely Poor Outing Against Chargers Has Vikings Fans Concerned About Their Near Future
Carson Wentz (Image via IMAGO)

McCarthy returned to the Vikings’ sidelines in pads during the Week 8 game. This sparked a debate about his progress in rehab, as the Vikings front office listed him as QB3 behind rookie Max Brosmer.

Nevertheless, McCarthy wasn’t under center for the Vikings. Wentz stuck around until the final five minutes before O’Connell finally decided to send Brosmer in.

Cameras followed Wentz into the Vikings’ dugout. The Super Bowl winner and ex-MVP candidate looked completely worn out from the barrage. Social media had enough to say about the situation.

Pain is pain. I felt like I could still help this team and find a way to go down and score and all that stuff… I’m just trying to do everything I can to help this team.

Carson Wentz said (H/T: Vikings official transcript)

Star receiver Justin Jefferson had 7 catches for 74 yards, but he could have easily had more while receiving from a healthy Wentz, claimed O’Connell.

That’s just kind of how the night was – we had an opportunity for a big-time explosive there and we missed it.

Kevin O’Connell said

Regardless, the defeat has left the Vikings as the only below .500 team in the NFC North. Up next, they have a rivalry game against the Detroit Lions, who are 5-2 after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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