Kevin O’Connell defended his decision to stick with injured Carson Wentz in the latest loss

The The Los Angeles Chargers dominated Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. The 37-10 loss dropped the Vikings’ record to 3-4.

But much of the postgame chatter focused on coach Kevin O’Connell’s decision not to take a quarterback. Carson Wentz from the blow.

Wentz was dealing with some discomfort with his non-throwing shoulder. He was sacked five times on Thursday, which appeared to further strain the shoulder he was already nursing. A shoulder issue with the scoreboard raised concerns about keeping the veteran quarterback on the field longer than necessary.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell talks to Carson Wentz (11) during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

Wentz was visibly grimacing for most of the game.

2025 NFL Week 8 BUZZ: New York Giants fined big for medical tent issue

After the game, O’Connell explained his decision to stick with Wentz for most of the game.

“We kept checking in (with Wentz),” the coach told reporters. “Maybe Max (Brossmer) will be ready to go.” Tyler (Vice President of Player Health and Performance, Tyler Williams) was coming at me a lot tonight, but he seemed to update me on it every time. Carson was having trouble with this. He obviously took some hits—but he was capable—I asked him several times where he was and he was good and he said he was good.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) on Oct. 23. 2025 drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagine Images)

“He seemed to be in pain a couple of times there.”

JJ McCarthy was inactive on Thursday. The second-year quarterback started the first two games of the season but has been sidelined for one since Ankle injury.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell on Oct. 23. 2025 in the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagine Images)

O’Connell noted that McCarthy will return to the starting lineup against the Detroit Lions in Week 9 if fully recovered. NFL Network reported.

Game cameras showed Wentz slamming his helmet on the Vikings sideline in apparent frustration. Wentz later clarified that the injury did not hinder his ability to throw.

“I don’t think so,” Wentz said. “I didn’t think throwing wise. That honestly gave me the confidence to go. I thought I could do my job. I thought I could throw the ball. Thankfully, you don’t need your left shoulder to throw the football. So mechanically, throwing wise, I thought I could do whatever I wanted to do.”

Reserve quarterback Max Brossmer entered Thursday’s contest briefly, completing three of four pass attempts in the fourth quarter.

Click here to get the Fox News app

O’Connell admitted that he had considered inserting a rookie signal-caller earlier in the game.

“Yes we did,” O’Connell said. “Carson is an experienced player. He understands some of our situations tonight. I think it’s tough to ask a rookie to go out there for his first performance and he’s going to have to weather a little bit for the group.

“I thought about it at different times in the game but at the same time, the confidence we have in Max and the fight we see in Max is real. You don’t want to send him out there and force a level of figure-it-outness beyond maybe someone playing for the first time.”

The Vikings have now dropped back-to-back games.

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newspaper.