In the end, the Minnesota Vikings didn't have much choice.
J.J. McCarthy is returning to his starting quarterback spot for Week 9 against the Detroit Lions.
McCarthy hasn't played since Week 2 with an ankle injury.
Carson Wentz stood in for McCarthy, but the second-year QB will get his job back for a huge test against Detroit.
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Why is J.J. McCarthy playing and not Carson Wentz?
Wentz was just so-so while filling in for McCarthy, but there was no real decision to be made here because Wentz got injured.
On Monday, the Vikings placed Wentz on Injured Reserved with a left shoulder injury. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, he'll undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season.
Wentz probably hadn't played quite well enough to hold McCarthy back, but it was at least going to be interesting.
Now, not so interesting, as long as McCarthy is indeed ready to return.
McCarthy only played one strong quarter out of the first eight quarters of the season. The Vikings will need him to be more consistent in the second half of the season to make a push toward the playoffs.
In the meantime, the Vikings' new No. 2 quarterback is Max Brosmer, an undrafted rookie out of the University of Minnesota who had a strong preseason but also isn't likely ready to start an NFL game.
McCarthy has to be good, or the Vikings' season will quickly fall down.
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