Carson Wentz has started the past five games while J.J. McCarthy recovered from an ankle injury. Wentz guided the Vikings to an easy win over the Cincinnati Bengals in his first start in Week 3. Then came the Week 4 and Week 5 international games against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin and Cleveland Browns in London. The Steelers game was a loss. Wentz’s most dynamic moment in his five-game run as the starter was the game-winning drive against the Browns. It was in that game that he suffered the shoulder injury that wouldn’t end his season until three weeks and two games later. Just before the end of the first half against the Browns, Wentz came off the field in obvious pain and discomfort. Rookie Max Brosmer took the final snap of the half and it really looked like he might have to finish the game. It was something of a surprise that Wentz returned in the second half. While he had an up-and-down second half against the Browns, he was brilliant on the final, game-winning drive. The Vikings had a Week 6 bye after the return from overseas. Following the much-needed bye, the Vikings and Wentz struggled in losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers game was a particularly brutal game for Wentz as he was sacked five times and hit repeatedly. His pain was obvious. It was after that game when we learned the severity of the injury he suffered against the Browns. Wentz had been playing through a dislocated shoulder that included a torn labrum and fractured socket. His struggles at times in the Eagles and Chargers games make sense as it took a warrior’s effort to simply suit up for those games. He did all that he could to get the Vikings to McCarthy’s return.
The Vikings must keep their starting offensive line on the field or Carson Wentz won’t be the last quarterback to need season-ending surgery. Due mostly to the wildly inconsistent lineup of offensive linemen, Vikings quarterbacks have been sacked and hit and an unsustainable rate. That must change and that change must start with this week’s game against the Detroit Lions. One of the biggest reasons for optimism this season was the rebuilt offensive line. The five projected starters have yet to take a snap together. Instead, it’s been a “who’s next” situation at every position but right guard. Will Fries is the only lineman to take every snap. That must change. The offensive line starters must get on the field and stay on the field. If the Vikings are to rebound from their 3-4 start, the team needs offensive line consistency. J.J. McCarthy definitely needs it.
Get healthy, Carson.
No comments:
Post a Comment