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Both MN Vikings QBs Land on Early Week 8 Injury Report
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- Both MN Vikings QBs Land on Early Week 8 Injury Report
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
It's a short week for the Minnesota Vikings after they experienced a slow and consistent level of embarrassment from the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. While the 28-22 score doesn't look awful, Carson Wentz and Kevin O'Connell continued to do less with more all game long.
Now they have to quickly turn the page with a Thursday Night Football contest in Los Angeles on deck. The Chargers, on the road, are another difficult opponent for Minnesota during this gauntlet of a midseason stretch . While the team didn't officially practice on Monday, the first Week 8 injury report shared some insight.
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No healthy starting QB for the Minnesota Vikings
Despite being healthy enough to operated as the emergency quarterback, and be in uniform, Kevin O'Connell had J.J. McCarthy as his third-string option . Carson Wentz got the start, and if his left shoulder wasn't still ailing, it is now after being hit all game. Both start this week with a murky status.
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The #Vikings first injury report of Week 8.
The team did not conduct a practice and participation is an estimate. pic.twitter.com/HUQTwAKwj3— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 20, 2025
The Vikings have continued to play coy about the status of their quarterback on a weekly basis. McCarthy is seemingly not 100%, but it's also clear O'Connell doesn't see him as developmentally ready either . The latter is more a problem than the former at this stage of his career, but it's a reflection of his inability to stay healthy.
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Before Sunday's game against the Eagles, there was a report that Wentz would start Week 8, and that his runway was wide open should he play well. Of course, Wentz didn't play well. He threw two interceptions , missed multiple open touchdown throws, and was sacked twice.
It was fine to let Wentz have his revenge game against the Philadelphia Eagles. It would be a fun storyline to see McCarthy return against his college quarterback Jim Harbaugh. Either way, Tuesday's practice should give a clearer indication of Thursday's plans.
Veterans are worth watching for MN Vikings
Brian O'Neill returned to action after suffering a sprained MCL . The hope would be that he made it through the game no worse for the wear, and that his DNP designation is reflective of what would have been a veteran rest day. C.J. Ham also spent time on injured reserve this season, and giving him extra days off makes sense as well.
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Their veteran counterpart, Andrew Van Ginkel , remained limited. He has missed multiple games this season due to a nagging neck injury and reports haven't been great . He did get in action on a side field last week, but it never appeared as though he was in line to play .
Injuries have been a key deterrent of success this season for Minnesota. The Vikings have trended in a positive direction of late, and if there's any way they salvage the season, that will need to continue.
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