Carson Wentz will make a fifth consecutive start for the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Minnesota head 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 injured reserve since Week 3 due to a hamstring injury. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero noted that Jones could potentially return as early as Thursday night.
