But Justin Jefferson’s lack of energy cannot be ignored. He is the face of this franchise. His consistent brilliance has set a standard of expectation much higher than what he delivered Sunday.

The numbers Jefferson is putting up this season are nowhere near what he is used to. In his first five seasons in the league, he averaged 95.5 receiving yards per game and eight touchdowns per season. This season, with a young J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz as his two quarterbacks, he is averaging 76.2 yards and has scored only two touchdowns in nine games.

The story pointed to some instances where Jefferson would normally bring in a catch for a big play or even a touchdown, but it didn't happen in Week 10. Jefferson finished with four catches for 37 yards against the Ravens. The author said you can probably count the number of bad games Jefferson has had in his career on one hand, but unfortunately this past week was one of them. The author also pointed to a lack of sharp routes run and a lack of pursuit after an interception. It could be frustration as McCarthy was up and down. The author even said the Ravens were clutching and grabbing him a bit, too. No matter, fantasy owners have likely been disappointed with Jefferson's overall fantasy production this season for where he was drafted. Hopefully there is some emphasis by the Vikings to get Jefferson more involved going forward.

If J.J. McCarthy can't stay healthy, Max Brosmer will merit the next look.

Related players: Carson Wentz

McCarthy is expected to resume his role as the starter Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Brosmer will be his backup, the story said. The story also pointed out, together, they have thrown a total of 49 NFL passes and played 122 regular-season snaps. We keep hearing the Vikings are high on Brosmer, but he is an undrafted rookie after all. This week, with McCarthy expected to start, Brosmer appears to be an injury away from getting into the game with Wentz now out for the season. The Vikings will likely bring in another QB, but it's not impossible that Brosmer could be forced into action sooner than later.

Vikings QB Carson Wentz is undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shoulder. He will be placed on IR.

Related players: J.J. McCarthy, Max Brosmer

Wentz played multiple games with the injury, the post went on to say. As we reported earlier today, McCarthy is in line to return to practice and start for Minnesota in Week 9 against Detroit. Brosmer could become the team's QB2. The team is said to be high on Brosmer, but he's an undrafted rookie. The Vikings will likely bring in another QB.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters last week that quarterback J.J. McCarthy would start when he’s healthy.

They may need him to be this week.

According to multiple reporters on the scene, McCarthy was practicing on Monday during the media’s brief viewing window. Carson Wentz, who has started the last five games for Minnesota, was not seen participating in the session.

As the story said, Wentz has been dealing with an injury to his non-throwing (left) shoulder initially suffered in the club’s Oct. 5 win over the Browns in London. He was in obvious pain toward the end of last Thursday’s loss to the Chargers after taking five sacks. Now, McCarthy looks like he could get a full week of practice in since his ankle injury in Week 2.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell says the team put J.J. McCarthy (ankle) through an on-field workout this morning, and while the team is encouraged, "he's just not there" on a short week.

Carson Wentz starts again, Max Brosmer backs him up and McCarthy will be the emergency No. 3.

Kevin O'Connell says if this were a Sunday game, McCarthy might have a chance to go. That would seem to put him on track to be available to start Week 9 against the Lions, Pelissero went on to say.

It’s a short week, and the Vikings could be shorthanded at quarterback.

Both J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Carson Wentz (left shoulder) were listed as limited participants in a Monday practice that didn’t actually happen. That keeps the door open for the possibility that undrafted rookie Max Brosmer will get the start.

Brosmer has served as the backup to Wentz during McCarthy’s absence. And Brosmer has impressed the Vikings in his limited time in the NFL.

The story said the Vikings may have no other choice. It mentioned that McCarthy, even if healthy, hasn't practiced enough to play. Wentz's play, in addition to his injury, could be a factor in the team going with Brosmer, especially after some questionable decisions against the Eagles in Week 7. Brosmer is a name to at least keep an eye on. He's been in our news in the past because the Vikings seem to be high on him, so it may not be that much of a stretch to see him get the call.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell says Carson Wentz will start Sunday vs. the Eagles.

Max Brosmer will back him up and J.J. McCarthy, who is listed as questionable, will serve as the emergency No. 3 QB as he continues to work his way back from a high ankle sprain.

Fire up the narrative game talk. Wentz is probably a little thin as a QB streaming option, but he's got a nice floor as a SuperFlex QB2.

Thirty days. That’s how long Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy went between practices.

He returned Monday for the first time since the lead-up to the Week 2 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Kevin O’Connell talked about the positives of having McCarthy back. He did not, however, officially name McCarthy as the team’s starter ahead of this weekend’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Not even after Carson Wentz, who has performed adequately in starting the Vikings’ last three games, was also dinged up in the two games overseas.

The story said the team is building back McCarthy's mechanics after a long time between practices. The story also said the Wentz is dealing with a "pretty serious shoulder injury." A lot of times teams will name the starter on Wednesday so that could be what's happening here.

Who will start at quarterback when the Vikings play the Eagles in Week 7?

If head coach Kevin O’Connell knows the answer, he’s not yet telling the public.

In his Monday press conference coming off a Week 6 bye, O’Connell told reporters that he isn’t ready to project where the team will be at the end of the week. Both J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Carson Wentz (left shoulder) are still returning from injury.

Wentz looks to be the favorite here since McCarthy may not be ready to practice fully this week. Injury reports could tell us a lot but at this point, Wentz seems a bit further along. The Vikings host the Eagles in an earlier Sunday game.

Kevin O’Connell said QB Carson Wentz is being further evaluated with the shoulder injury suffered in yesterday’s game. Sounded like he came in pretty sore. One to watch.

Related players: J.J. McCarthy

The Vikings have a bye in Week 6, and then take on the Eagles in Week 7. Reports say McCarthy will be ready to practice after the team's bye so the hope for the Vikings is they'll at least have Wentz or McCarthy ready to go. It will be an interesting decision for the team if both quarterbacks are ready to play, especially considering the Vikings are playing one of Wentz's former teams in the Eagles in Week 7.