Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has acquired criticism for permitting quarterback Carson Wentz to take quite a few pointless hits as Wentz played with a left shoulder harm through the membership’s 37-10 defeat on the Los Angeles Chargers again on Oct. 23.
Wentz will quickly bear season-ending surgical procedure to restore the problem, however does not blame O’Connell for his present situation.
Why Carson Wentz does not blame Kevin O’Connell, Vikings for harm
“This is not my first rodeo,” Wentz mentioned whereas talking with reporters on Wednesday, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN. “I am not an fool. I do know what I used to be signing up for going on the market. No one was forcing me, pressuring me, any of these issues.”
Wentz initially picked up the shoulder injury on Oct. 5. He then took 5 sacks and accomplished 15-of-27 passes for 144 yards with one landing and one interception within the blowout loss to the Chargers.
Wentz was beginning instead of Week 1 QB1 J.J. McCarthy, who hasn’t performed since he went down with what grew to become a lingering ankle downside in Week 2. McCarthy is on monitor to start out when 3-4 Minnesota performs on the rival Detroit Lions (5-2) this coming Sunday.
“The general public backlash and various things that I am being informed are on the market, I feel, is personally form of loopy,” Wentz mentioned about reactions some have needed to O’Connell retaining the signal-caller within the Chargers recreation. “No one’s on this constructing. No one’s in these conversations. No one is aware of what’s really happening and transpiring behind these partitions. And I can simply truthfully say this place has been tremendous supportive and tremendous useful this complete time, and I am grateful for that.”
Why Carson Wentz wished to play by means of harm for so long as doable
Earlier than September, Wentz hadn’t made a number of regular-season begins in a single marketing campaign since 2022-23. The 32-year-old who has develop into a journeyman understands there isn’t any assure he’ll ever once more function a first-choice starter on the highest stage.
“It is enjoyable,” Wentz added about trying to play by means of his shoulder discomfort. “I am not going to lie. It is enjoyable. It is what I grew up dreaming of doing. And while you lose it for somewhat bit, it is onerous to need to give it up. So even with ache, and all of the issues that I knew have been going to return with it, [I wanted] to play. I need to be on the market, and I need to be serving to this crew nonetheless I can.”
McCarthy will now attempt to have some enjoyable at Detroit’s Ford Subject. As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the Vikings as 8.5-point underdogs for that contest.
