It goes without saying that Carson Wentz had a pretty rough outing on Thursday Night Football at SoFi Stadium against the hosting Los Angeles Chargers. The journeyman signal-caller faced constant pressure all night long, though he was obviously not seeing the field too well either and not getting rid of the ball in a timely manner.
Wentz threw for 144 total yards, completing 15 of his 27 passes for a completion percentage of 55.6%. He added a touchdown toss to WR Jordan Addison, but also a pretty bad interception that all but sealed the Minnesota Vikings’ fate in the game to Chargers’ rookie safety R.J. Mickens. In Wentz’s defense, the Vikings’ offense (or entire team for that matter) was completely anemic all the way around.
A returning Aaron Jones had zero impact on the entire exhibition. Between Jones, Jordan Mason, and Zavier Scott, the Vikings rushed for a total of 34 yards on 11 carries. The running game was so lethargic that Scott became the leading rusher for the team on his two garbage time carries for 16 yards. Jones ran 5 times for 15 yards, and Jordan Mason had 4 attempts for 3 yards.
The defense also had fits thanks to Justin Herbert and Kimani Vidal. Herbert accumulated 227 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception upon completing 18 of his 25 passes. The young QB also ran for 62 yards on 7 carries. Kimani Vidal attempted 23 rushes, succeeding for a total of 117 yards and a score.
The Vikings’ defense had a seemingly hot start, forcing the Chargers into a 2nd-and-14 and taking back an interception to the end zone that was ultimately called back because we still don’t know what a catch is in the NFL’s eyes. It was ruled incomplete, and the Chargers then converted a 3rd-and-14, marched down the field for a touchdown, and the rest is history.
In a game where just about no one in purple should be given any substantial amount of praise or credit, QB Carson Wentz actually does deserve a little bit of recognition. It’s obviously not for his play on the field on Thursday night, but the man is one tough customer. Wentz was playing through a shoulder injury that seemed a little more severe than we were led to believe, and it was pretty obvious that the guy was going through it.
Football players are obviously tough people, but that doesn’t mean we can’t give them credit when it’s evident they’re in much more discomfort than normal. Playing through a shoulder injury in the NFL is no joke, especially when you’re getting hit a lot and definitely when you’re getting driven into the ground directly on it.
So, here are some flowers, Mr. Wentz. You’re obviously a tough guy, and good on you for getting out there and trying to prove you can be serviceable as a backup in the NFL for the next couple of years as you creep closer and closer to Father Time.
Now get out of the way so J.J. McCarthy can get in there.
