McCarthy To Start; Vikings Sign John Wolford

The Minnesota Vikings signed veteran quarterback John Wolford to the practice squad after backup Carson Wentz was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a shoulder injury. The team will start J.J. McCarthy on Sunday at Detroit after he returned from a right high-ankle sprain; McCarthy has flashed playmaking ability but also struggled in limited action, and his availability and consistency will shape the franchise’s short-term direction. McCarthy’s limited experience includes a rookie-year torn meniscus and a sack-heavy 22-6 home loss, and the club has spent the past month and a half troubleshooting his mechanics. Max Brosmer will serve as the primary backup if McCarthy starts, while Wolford provides emergency depth and familiarity with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. The moves come as the 3-4 Vikings try to stabilize the quarterback room amid injuries and rising criticism of the team’s injury management and locker-room unease ahead of an NFC North road game against the 5-2 Detroit Lions.