The Los Angeles Chargers will host the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football, and the quarterback situation for Minnesota has been clarified. Carson Wentz will start, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, giving Minnesota continuity as J.J. McCarthy nears a return from an ankle injury.
“My understanding is with Wentz and J.J., the Vikings play a short week this week. They have the Chargers this week. I would expect that we get Wentz on Thursday night,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. He added that McCarthy could return the following week at Detroit, depending on Wentz’s performance and health.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell had not formally confirmed the starter but praised Wentz’s recent play. “First and foremost, I thought [Wentz] competed. Gotta see how he comes out health-wise… On a short week, we’ll put together the best plan we can and that also includes the players available to us,” O’Connell said.
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Chargers Defense Under Pressure
Is Jim Harbaugh The Real Life Ted Lasso?
The Chargers enter the game struggling to find stability on defense. After allowing 38 points to the Indianapolis Colts, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter admitted the unit is underperforming.
“We’re not where we want to be. We’ve had a couple rough games in a row… I think everybody, to a man, on our side of the ball would say we all need to be better. It’s really that simple,” Minter told The Athletic.
Star safety Derwin James was even more candid. “We played like s—. We looked like trash. We gave up 40 points in our own stadium. We weren’t locked in on the details… everything we practiced,” he said.
Focus, Discipline, and Division Stakes
Thursday night’s matchup presents a critical test for the Chargers. Facing a Vikings team with uncertainty at the quarterback position, Los Angeles must address both talent and focus to remain competitive in the AFC West. With Wentz starting and McCarthy potentially returning next week, they will need to capitalize on any inconsistencies while shoring up their own defensive struggles.
As the division tightens, the game is about more than just wins and losses—it’s a measure of discipline, execution, and the ability to rebound under pressure. For a Chargers team in flux, Thursday night could set the tone for the weeks to come.
