Carson Wentz injury update: Vikings QB departs to locker room early vs. Browns

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz exited Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns with an apparent shoulder injury. The veteran QB appeared to be hurt on a scramble as he attempted to run for a first down.

UPDATE: Wentz ended up returning to the game to start the third quarter on the Vikings’ first drive of the second half. He was sporting a sleeve on his left shoulder underneath his pads.

The game was tied 7-7 late in the second quarter out in London. Despite the low score, Wentz had an efficient half to that point. Max Brosmer was listed as the backup QB Sunday.

Wentz was seen working out his injury on the sideline before briefly going into the medical tent. Since the Browns had the football, the Vikings opted to get Wentz into the locker room early before halftime.

FOX sideline reporter Sara Walsh provided the latest on Wentz just before halftime. She reported the QB was set to receive X-Rays.

“Carson Wentz obviously went into the locker room early,” Walsh said. “He then came out, had his pads off and went into the X ray room. We have been not told anything more than he is questionable currently with a left shoulder. That’s all we know about Carson Wentz, we’ll see how they come out and start the second half here.”

At that point of the game, Wentz was seven-of-12 passing for 73 yards and also ran for 12 yards on the ground. Running back Cam Akers threw the lone touchdown of the half on offense on a trick play.

Wentz started for Vikings in place of second-year man JJ McCarthy, who is currently dealing with an injury. In the two games (1-1) Wentz started this season, he had 523 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions and a 66.7% completion percentage.

Wentz is on the sixth team of his NFL career. Now in his 10th season, the former No. 2 overall pick got his first starting action a few weeks ago since the season finale for last year’s Kansas City Chiefs.

He was previously the franchise quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, winning Super Bowl LII, albeit watching from the sidelines nursing a torn ACL. Wentz was the frontrunner for MVP in 2017 before the injury ended his season.

Over the course of the next two years, Wentz showed flashes of his elite self, but never returned to form. Struggles in 2020 and the emergence of a then-rookie Jalen Hurts forced his trade to the Indianapolis Colts. However, Wentz lasted just one season with the Colts and then the Washington Commanders over the following two seasons. In 2023, he served as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams before signing with the Chiefs in 2024.