Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 5

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Carson Wentz will get another start for the team next week when the team meets the Steelers in Dublin, Ireland.

This was expected after Wentz had a solid day against the Bengals, going 14/20 for 173 yards and two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 48-10 victory. J.J. McCarthy is out 2-4 weeks with a right high ankle sprain. With Wentz able to hold the fort in Week 3, he’ll lead the charge as the Vikings make their trek through Europe over the next two weeks, facing the Steelers in Dublin in Week 4 and then meeting the Browns in London in Week 5 before their Week 6 bye.

The Vikings are making a move to fortify the quarterback position while J.J. McCarthy recovers from his ankle injury.

Per NFL Media, Minnesota is signing quarterback Desmond Ridder to their 53-man roster.

Related players: Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer

Ridder, 26, spent the preseason with the Bengals but had not found a team since he was let go at the end of August. The story goes on to say by signing Ridder to the 53-man roster, the Vikings will be able to have him suit up as the emergency third QB. We reported yesterday the team loves Brosmer, but the bigger question was could he be ready if Wentz under performs early on. The Ridder signing could mean he will eventually slide up and become the QB2.

The Vikings are placing starting RB Aaron Jones on Injured Reserve, knocking him out four games. He has a hamstring injury.

Related players: Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott, Ty Chandler, Cam Akers

Mason becomes RB1 and Akers is signing to the practice squad, the report went on to say. Scott and Chandler are also on the roster, but the Vikings seem to like Akers so he could be elevated sooner than later. The bigger news here is Mason should see a much bigger workload with Jones out of action.

Bengals also are signing QB Mike White to their practice squad, per source.

So both White and Sean Clifford added to Cincinnati’s practice squad.

Related players: Jake Browning, Brett Rypien

After Joe Burrow injured his toe and will be out at least three months, the Bengals are stocking up on quarterbacks. Browning will take over the starting job and can be picked up in just about any format. Rypien will likely be the number-two with White and Clifford taking on the insurance roles.

With Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy reportedly out up to four weeks due to a sprained ankle, Carson Wentz becomes the next man up.

At some point over the next month, will undrafted rookie Max Brosmer become the next man in?

Brosmer, the only one of three backups throughout the offseason program and training camp to make it to the 53-man roster (Sam Howell and Brett Rypien are gone), played at the University of Minnesota last season.

The story added the Vikings love Brosmer, but he's currently not ready to take over the position. However, the Vikings could turn to him at some point if Wentz can't take advantage of his chances. The story also mentioned the team could make a move for another QB as well. A familiar name in Kirk Cousins was mentioned specifically in the story. This whole situation could be a very interesting one, especially if Wentz happens to struggle early.

Vikings RB Aaron Jones (hamstring) is unlikely to play this week vs. Bengals, per coach Kevin O'Connell.

Related players: Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott, Ty Chandler

Hamstring injuries can be tricky, so we could be looking at multiple weeks without Jones in the lineup. However, it's another injury to monitor this week as the Vikings are very shorthanded on offense with the recent loss of QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle) as well. Mason should get the start, and a bulk of the work, if Jones is indeed out in Week 3. It's a nice matchup against the Bengals, however, Carson Wentz is expected to be under center so the Bengals defense could focus on stopping Mason.

Big news: Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell says J.J. McCarthy came in sore with an ankle sprain. They don't anticipate having him for Sunday against the Bengals.

Related players: Carson Wentz

In a separate post, the Vikings say they are already preparing Wentz to start in Week 3. Another update to this story by Adam Schefter says McCarthy could be out 2-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain. The Vikings traded Sam Howell to the Eagles late in camp, then brought in Wentz to take his place. When we last saw Wentz, he struggled in a Week 18 game with the Chiefs against the Broncos last season. Those in desperate need of a QB could consider Wentz in a nice matchup against the Bengals. It remains to be seen just how much time McCarthy could miss.

ESPN sources: Bengals QB Joe Burrow will need toe surgery.

Related players: Jake Browning, Brett Rypien

As we reported yesterday, surgery could require Burrow to miss at least three months of the season, and Schefter is confirming that again this morning. It's obviously a huge blow for fantasy owners of Burrow. Burrow could be back around early-to-mid December based on this timeline. The good news is Browning has shown he can be a decent fantasy QB option, and he threw for 241 yards and two TDs coming in to replace Burrow in Week 2 - but he also threw three interceptions. So, owners of Chase Brown, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins hopefully will only see minimal drops in fantasy value going forward. Browning is worth a pickup off the wire in pretty much any league format, but will especially be a popular target in multi-QB or superflex leagues.

Homecoming: Panthers and Vikings are finalizing a trade for WR Adam Thielen to return to Minnesota, sources tell ESPN.

The trade: Vikings get Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Panthers get a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Thielen starred for the Vikings from 2013-2022. Now he returns.

Related Players: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker

This is a good move to ease J.J. McCarthy into the league with Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games. Thielen is heading into his age-35 (!!) season and doesn't offer nearly the run-after-catch ability as he did in his heyday, but he can operate as a consistent option for the young QB. He's unlikely to hit double-digit targets as he did a couple times last year with JJ and T.J. Hockenson around, but he could be playable for desperate deep-league managers.

Back in Carolina, this helps clear the runway for Jalen Coker to operate as the Panthers' primary slot option after a pretty impressive rookie season for a UDFA. He's an interesting stash.

Vikings and Panthers have tried to work out a trade for Carolina WR Adam Thielen.

Related players: Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor

Schefter's post said Thielen would like to return to Minnesota, but the two sides continue to struggle to agree on compensation. The Vikings could use help at WR with Addison suspended. Thielen would likely be the team's WR3 when at full strength in a couple of weeks, probably pushing Nailor down the depth chart. In Carolina, Thielen could be considered the team's WR2, but if he departs Legette likely takes that role behind McMillan with Coker moving up to the team's WR3 role. Whatever the hurdles seem to be, one would think this deal gets done at some point.