Carson Wentz led the Vikings to victory over the Cleveland Browns in London on Sunday and moved to 2-1 as stater for Minnesota.
With Week 1 starter J.J. McCarthy sidelined with an ankle injury until at least Week 7, coach Kevin O’Connell is not ready to commit to Wentz as the starter moving forward.
O’Connell was asked postgame about officially naming a QB1 for the Vikings, which was a question he ignored and instead said, “I’m just excited we got the win today and we’re gonna move forward in this bye and get as healthy as we can at all positions.
Reports Say McCarthy Out Until Week 7 Maybe Longer
NFL insiders had conflicting reports over the weekend on a timeline for McCarthy to be able to play.
“The belief is that J.J. McCarthy will be ready in Week 7,” Adam Schefter said on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown.” With the Vikings on a bye Week 6, their next game would be Week 7 against on the Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) on Oct. 19.
But The Athletic’s Dianna Russini wrote Saturday that McCarthy could be sidelined until the second half of the season.
“I’ve been told by multiple sources that McCarthy isn’t healthy, and while the target return has been Week 7 against the Eagles, it could still be longer,” Russini wrote.
“For now, (McCarthy’s) focus is on capping a two-week European trip with a win over the Browns. And O’Connell has earned the benefit of the doubt that when McCarthy is ready, when he’s had a full week of practice and when he’s healthy, he’ll be the starter.”
Across two games, McCarthy has completed 58.5% of his passes, totaling 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. In comparison, Wentz has played three games, completing 69% of his passes for 759 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Vikings Ready to Depart Europe
The Vikings (3-2) managed to defeat Dillon Gabriel, 21-17, in his first career start for the Cleveland Browns (1-4).
Vikings fans were surprised when WR2 Jordan Addison wasn’t on the field for the team’s first couple drives, but O’Connell revealed postgame that Addison was held out for the first quarter because he missed a walkthrough earlier in the week.
“Those types of things aren’t in alignment with our standards. And wanted to make sure he was held accountable for that but at the same time he knows that. He spoke with the team to let them know that whenever I gave him the opportunity to go in the game they can count on him and he makes the game-winning catch.”
With 25 seconds remaining, Addison hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Wentz, lifting the Vikings to a crucial victory on their historic international road trip—a journey that began with a 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) in Dublin.
“Having been in Europe for two weeks, pretty much, and losing last week in Ireland, a W was a must,” receiver Justin Jefferson said. “We couldn’t go home on that plane 0-2.”
Wentz went a perfect 9-for-9 on the 10-play game-winning drive that began at Minnesota’s 20-yard line.
With the victory, the Vikings improved to 5-0 all-time in London.
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