Minnesota (3-4 straight up, 3-4 against the spread) quarterback Carson Wentz will miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign and undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
According to multiple reports, Wentz has been playing through a dislocated shoulder, torn labrum and fractured socket since Oct. 5. The North Dakota St. product has started five games in a row for the Vikings, who are 2-3 both SU and ATS in those contests.
The 32-year-old Wentz has completed 110-of-169 passes (65.1%) for 1,216 yards with a 6/5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has 57 rushing yards on 11 attempts for a 5.2 yards-per-carry average.
J.J. McCarthy is expected to start for Minnesota in Sunday’s road game at Detroit. As of Tuesday afternoon, most books had the Lions installed as 8.5-point home favorites with a total of 47.5. The Vikings were in the +340 to +375 range on the money line.
McCarthy made his first two career NFL starts in Week 1 and 2. He completed 24-of-41 throws (58.5%) for 301 yards and two TDs compared to three interceptions. The University of Michigan product also had 50 rushing yards and one TD on seven attempts.
In Week 1, McCarthy led three consecutive TD drives in the fourth quarter to help his team rally from a 17-6 deficit to win a 27-24 decision at Chicago. In Week 2, however, McCarthy looked like the same unproven QB that struggled for three quarters against the Bears.
He was sacked six times and intercepted twice in a 22-6 home loss vs. Atlanta. After two games, McCarthy had the second-worst QBR among NFL starting QBs. He’s missed the last five games due to an ankle injury.
The only other QB on Minnesota’s roster is undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who played FCS ball at New Hampshire before starting for the Minnesota Gophers in 2024. Brosmer completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 2,828 yards with an 18/6 TD-INT ratio last season. He helped the Gophers finish 8-5 SU and 9-3-1 ATS.
Brosmer has appeared in three games at garbage time for the Vikings. He’s completed 5-of-8 throws for 42 yards.
QB Desmond Ridder spent three weeks on Minnesota’s roster earlier this year before being released. The Vikings will probably try to sign a veteran signal caller to the practice squad at some point this week.