Carson Wentz will start for the Vikings in London vs. the #Browns on Sunday, per a league source.

Rookie QB J.J. McCarthy still isn’t ready and hasn’t practiced this week. Now officially out.

This seemed to be the case for a while now, as the Vikings have a Week 6 bye which gives the pseudo-rookie extra time to heal. Consider Wentz a fade this week against a tough Browns pass rush.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has shed the walking boot, as he tries to expedite his return from a sprained ankle suffered in a Week 2 loss to the Falcons. Coach Kevin O’Connell, however, isn’t inclined to rush McCarthy back to the lineup.

O’Connell made it clear on Monday that McCarthy will play not only when he’s physically ready, but when he’s entirely ready.

“First and foremost, he’s got to get healthy,” O’Connell told reporters, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. “And then, I don’t think it’s one of those things where it’s, hey, he’s healthy the night before a game, we’re going to throw him out there and say, ‘Hey, go figure it out’ type of thing.”

Related players: Carson Wentz

The story went on to say O’Connell has denied that the injury amounts to a “soft benching” of the second-year quarterback, the coach said “there is value” in McCarthy watching Wentz play. The story added it seems likely Wentz will get the next game, against the Steelers in Ireland, and perhaps the one after that, against the Browns in London, before a decision is made as to whether it will be Wentz or McCarthy after the bye — when the Eagles come to Minnesota.

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.

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.

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.

The Vikings signed quarterback Carson Wentz and traded quarterback Sam Howell to the Eagles.

The Vikings had worked out Wentz recently and have now added him to the roster. To make room, Howell was traded to an Eagles team that in search for a short-term backup to Jalen Hurts, as Tanner McKee is dealing with an injured finger and his status for the start of the season is unclear.

The move is also a sign of the confidence the Vikings have early on in rookie Max Brosmer as the potential backup to J.J. McCarthy. At the very least, he’ll stick around as the No. 3 after a solid preseason.

This is the third time in about a year and a half that Howell has been traded. He went from Washington to Seattle in March 2024 (after starting 17 games in 2023), then from Seattle to Minnesota back in April and now from Minnesota to Philadelphia.

Patrick Mahomes will “most likely end up playing” on Saturday, per Coach Reid.

There’s also a “good chance” Hollywood Brown will play.

Related Players: Carson Wentz

We'd like a little more reassurance here, but at least we have some hope that Mahomes will be available to elevate the offense. Mahomes should be benched in favor of a streamer in most fantasy formats.

For a second straight day, the Chiefs listed Patrick Mahomes as a full participant in practice.

Related Players: Carson Wentz

Obviously a great sign for the Chiefs pass-catchers and Mahomes himself. The quarterback should likely be benched in your fantasy semi-finals in a not-great matchup against the Texans in a game that has seen its over/under drop to 41.5.

Patrick Mahomes is listed as a full participant on the team’s first injury report of the week.

Related players: Carson Wentz

It was a pretty positive outcome for fantasy owners counting on Mahomes in Week 16. The story said Reid spoke to reporters before practice and said they would see what Mahomes was able to do during a light practice. The answer was that he did everything that the Chiefs asked of him, the story pointed out. Keep in mind it was a light workout. It's possible Mahomes is listed as limited later in the week. As we stated earlier today, we're still some time away from Saturday, so it will be worth monitoring right up to game time. Owners may still want to have a backup plan in place.