Carson Wentz Battles Through Pain as Vikings Fall to Chargers 37–10

INGLEWOOD, Calif.  With his left shoulder heavily strapped and his throwing arm barely functional, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz gave everything he had on Thursday night — but it wasn’t enough.

In what may have been the veteran’s final start before rookie JJ McCarthy returns from a sprained ankle, Wentz struggled to move the offense until late in the third quarter of the Vikings’ 37–10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

“The season’s still early, but we know where we stand,” Wentz said after the Vikings dropped to 3–4. “We’ve got a tough division and we’re kind of on the defensive right now. But you can’t dwell on that. We’ve got big games coming up, and we’ve got to get back on track. Nobody wants to be 3–4, but there’s a lot of football left.”

Wentz completed 15 of 27 passes for 144 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, as his shoulder injury worsened throughout the night. His first major setback came midway through the second quarter, when a pass sailed high and was picked off by the Chargers’ defense.

“As long as the medical staff tells me he’s no worse off than when he started, I’m going to give a player like Carson the chance to compete,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said.

The first half was one to forget. Wentz completed 10 of 16 passes for 99 yards while being sacked three times. Minnesota failed to gain more than 35 yards on any of its five first-half drives, scoring only on a 54-yard field goal by Will Reichard. Reichard later missed a 53-yarder to close the half.

Things unraveled further in the fourth quarter when Wentz overthrew Justin Jefferson, allowing RJ Mickens to grab an interception. Moments later, Troy Dye strip-sacked Wentz from behind, sending the battered quarterback to the sideline clutching his injured shoulder.

“I thought that on the throw to Justin — when he was wide open — a healthy Carson Wentz probably makes that play,” O’Connell admitted. “That’s just how the night went.”

Rookie Max Brosmer replaced Wentz for the final two minutes, completing 3 of 4 passes for 13 yards in his third career appearance.

The loss capped a rough five-day stretch for Wentz, who fell to his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, 28–22 on Sunday before collapsing again in the stadium where he once served as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams.

Now playing for his fifth team in five seasons, Wentz has started more games this year than he did in his previous two seasons combined with the Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.

“I’m just trying to do what I can for this team,” Wentz said. “Even when I’m hurting, I still believe I can help move the ball and make plays. We had moments, but I missed a few throws. I’ve got to be better.”