Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell finally names a starting quarterback vs. Eagles between J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz

Kevin O’Connell’s decision shows progress with J.J. McCarthy.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell named Carson Wentz the starting quarterback against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, October 17th.
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The Minnesota Vikings have had a quarterback controversy brewing over the last month, with the majority of that coming from the fact that both players have been dealing with injuries, with J.J. McCarthy having a high ankle sprain and Carson Wentz with a non-throwing shoulder.

During Friday’s press conference, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that McCarthy would be questionable for the game and be the emergency third quarterback with Wentz getting the start.

Carson Wentz will start Sunday vs. Eagles

This will be Wentz’s fourth consecutive start with McCarthy, dealing with the rehab of his ankle injury. Where things are interesting with this entire discussion is that McCarthy will be the emergency third quarterback, so he is getting closer to returning.

“Carson Wentz will start the football game,” said O’Connell. “I thought he’s had a good week of practice as well as J.J. McCarthy. I was really proud of the work he put in, as he continues to push through the later stages of this rehab, feel good about him being available, but he will be the emergency third quarterback. We went into the last game with two and didn’t quite feel like that was the smartest thing to do, and feel good about where he’d be at if he had to play in that third quarterback capacity. So, Max [Brosmer] will back up Carson Wentz cannot wait to get to US Bank Stadium.”

This is a big aspect of this entire discussion. McCarthy is getting very close, but O’Connell has been steadfast about not forcing him back into the game.

“I think first and foremost, he’s got to get healthy,” said O’Connell after the Cincinnati Bengals game. “And then, throughout that process, I don’t think it’s one of those things where it’s, ‘Hey, the day he’s healthy.’ And if he’s healthy the night before a game, we’re going to just throw him out there and say, ‘Hey, go figure it out’ type of thing. I think we saw as phenomenal as he was getting prepared for the Atlanta game, he did miss practice that week. And when you’re in the phase of building up the 10,000 reps and 10,000 hours of what it takes to play the position at a very high level, which we know J.J. McCarthy is going to do, you can’t cut corners on that.”

With the Vikings being willing to have McCarthy dress but not force him into playing, we are getting closer to a return.

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