Carson Wentz will make a fifth consecutive start for the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Tuesday that the club put quarterback J.J. McCarthy through an on-field workout but that the second-year quarterback was still not ready to return to action on a short week while dealing with a nagging ankle injury.
Rookie Max Brosmer will be the backup on Thursday in L.A.
O'Connell noted that if the Vikings played on Sunday, McCarthy might have a shot to start, but he's "just not there yet." The implication of the comment is that McCarthy might be ready to go in Week 9 at Detroit.
The former No. 10 overall pick, who missed his rookie campaign after a preseason knee injury, was injured in a Week 2 loss to Atlanta. Last week, McCarthy described the ankle injury as "annoying."
That annoyance continues.
In the interim, Wentz, who is also dealing with a shoulder injury, has gone 2-2 as the Vikings starter, including Sunday's 28-22 loss to Philadelphia. Against his former team, Wentz went 26-of-42 passing for 313 yards and two interceptions. He particularly struggled in the first half under pressure, throwing a pick-six, a wayward backward pass out of bounds for an 8-yard loss and another interception.
The veteran signal-caller will get another chance to get back in the win column on Thursday against the 4-3 Chargers as the Vikings attempt to stay in striking distance in a heated NFC playoff race.
The Minnesota run game could get a boost soon, as the Vikings open the 21-day window for running back Aaron Jones who has been on IR since Week 3 due to a hamstring injury. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero noted that Jones could potentially return as early as Thursday night.
