Carson Wentz won two games in five starts for the Minnesota Vikings as J.J. McCarthy was out with an ankle injury, but his role in relief is coming to an end.
Wentz is expected to have surgery on his left shoulder and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported Monday, per sources.
The Vikings placed Wentz on injured reserve later Monday.
The Vikings quarterback was seen grimacing in pain several times throughout last Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers as he played wearing a bulky shoulder harness. Wentz struggled through the air, completing 15 of 27 passes for 144 yards with one touchdown and an interception while getting sacked five times.
Wentz had been playing through a hurt left shoulder since Week 5, when he briefly exited midway through a win over the Cleveland Browns in London. Rapoport reported that Wentz specifically suffered a shoulder dislocation that tore his labrum and fractured the socket during the game in London.
While the loss of Wentz hurts Minnesota's QB depth chart, McCarthy figures to be ready for his long-awaited return.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters last week that McCarthy, who returned to practice, was not quite ready to return, but noted that if Week 8's game were played on Sunday that he would have had a shot to start.
The Vikings are on the road to face the Detroit Lions this Sunday.
Max Brosmer, who took seven total snaps in Wentz's brief exits in Weeks 5 and 8, is presumed to be McCarthy's backup going forward.
Wentz won two of his first three games once taking over for McCarthy in Week 3, keeping the Vikings afloat in a top-heavy NFC North. But consecutive losses the last two games have Minnesota sitting last in the division with a 3-4 record.
His 10th season ends with 1,216 passing yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions with an 85.8 passer rating.
Wentz inked a one-year deal with Minnesota in August after the club traded backup Sam Howell to the Eagles. The 32-year-old's solid play in relief allowed McCarthy to heal up without rush. Wentz momentarily righted the ship -- even bringing into question if he should remain the start -- but season-ending surgery will instead be his fate.
