The Minnesota Vikings and head coach Kevin O’Connell are under fire for their handling of quarterback Carson Wentz. The veteran took over starting duties after rookie J.J. McCarthy went down, but he also suffered an injury during the team’s London game.
Despite his condition, Minnesota kept Wentz on the field, a decision that backfired when he took another hard hit during Thursday Night Football in Week 8. With Wentz now facing a season-ending injury, fans are calling for the NFL to investigate how the Vikings managed the situation.
Why Are Vikings Facing Backlash Over Carson Wentz’ Injury?
Wentz took over as the starter in Week 3 after McCarthy’s ankle injury, and he won two of his three starts. However, during that second win over the Cleveland Browns in London, Wentz had reportedly “suffered a dislocation that tore his labrum and fractured the socket,” per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Despite the severity of the injury, Wentz continued to play through the pain, wearing a large stabilizing brace. He managed to gut out two and a half more games before things took a turn for the worse on Thursday Night Football, when he appeared visibly hurt and favoring his left, non-throwing shoulder. The veteran quarterback is now set to undergo season-ending surgery.
Details on Carson Wentz: In the first half of the London game, Wentz suffered a dislocation that tore his labrum and fractured the socket, per The Insiders.
He gutted out 2.5 more games for the #Vikings with a big stabilizing brace, while JJ McCarthy (high-ankle) recovered. https://t.co/JseMqJ7fmC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 27, 2025
The decision to let Wentz play through the injury has sparked major backlash toward the Vikings and O’Connell. Fans are demanding accountability and questioning whether the team prioritized competitiveness over player safety.
“Is the NFL going to investigate the Vikings for leaving Wentz in the game when he was clearly injured & in a ton of pain?” one fan asked on X.
Is the NFL going to investigate the Vikings for leaving Wentz in the game when he was clearly injured & in a ton of pain?
— MeSoTired61 (@MTired61) October 27, 2025
Many others echoed the sentiment:
“He never should have been put out there once he was injured. Investigate the Vikings medical staff and Kevin OConnell,” wrote another.
“NFL should investigate the Vikings for letting him play that whole game imo,” a third added.
If the NFL does open an investigation and determines that Minnesota mishandled Wentz’s injury, the franchise could face serious repercussions, including fines or the loss of draft picks. And that’s exactly what the fans are demanding.
“Should fine the Vikings for allowing him to play in that condition. Unacceptable,” a user wrote.
should fine the Vikings for allowing him to play in that condition. unacceptable.
— Evol (@EvolOnPump) October 27, 2025
“KOC left his quarterback out to die This is entirely blood on his hands,” wrote another.
“Threw bro to the wolves in LA,” a third added.
Fortunately for Minnesota, McCarthy is expected to be ready to return in Week 9. O’Connell said last week that the second-year quarterback would have played had the team not been on a short week.
Wentz finishes his five-game stretch with a 2–3 record, throwing for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. According to PFSN’s QB Impact metric, he ranks 17th in the league with a score of 77.8 and a grade of C+.