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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz has been placed on injured reserve and will undergo season-ending surgery on his left shoulder, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday (October 27).
"Vikings will place Carson Wentz on IR. Wentz will undergo season-ending surgery on his left shoulder," Schefter wrote on his X account. "Vikings officially placed Carson Wentz on injured reserve. To fill his roster spot, the Vikings claimed TE Ben Sims on waivers from the Packers. Sims first joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in May 2023."
Wentz suffered the injury during last Thursday's (October 23) loss to the Los Angeles Rams, which saw him throw for 144 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 15 of 27, while getting sacked five times. The former No. 2 overall pick went 2-3 in five starts, throwing for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions on 110 of 169 passing in the absence of starter J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy suffered an ankle injury during the Vikings' Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and has been out since, but practiced for the first time on Monday, days after head coach Kevin O'Connell said he'd start in Week 9 if available. The former Michigan standout was selected by the Vikings at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft but missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee during his first preseason appearance.
Minnesota opted not to re-sign Sam Darnold, who led the team to a 14-3 record as a starter, during the offseason with the intention of handing the reins to McCarthy prior to his injury. Wentz signed with the Vikings in August, just prior to the 2025 NFL season, to serve as McCarthy's backup.