As a kid growing up in Bismarck, N.D., Carson Wentz rooted for the Minnesota Vikings and occasionally made the trip with his family to see them play at the Metrodome.
On Sunday, Wentz will play quarterback for the organization he used to support from the stands. He will make his team debut in place of injured starter J.J. McCarthy when the Vikings (1-1) oppose the Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) in Minneapolis.
“Believe it or not, my family was already planning to come,” Wentz said. “Now, there’s even more coming. Everybody’s pretty excited. You never wish for injuries, but just the way this has happened to get a chance for the team I grew up cheering for, close to home, all those things.”
The Bengals also will turn to their No. 2 quarterback in a battle of the backups.
Cincinnati star Joe Burrow left last week’s game because of turf toe, an injury that is expected to sideline him for several months. Burrow’s absence means an extended opportunity for his top backup, Jake Browning, who has appeared in 13 games in parts of three seasons.
Browning made seven starts in place of an injured Burrow in 2023, posting a 4-3 record. This time, he said, he feels more comfortable with stepping away from the sideline and into the spotlight.
“I don’t think you really know until you know what it feels like (to start on short notice),” Browning said. “And so in 2023, I had no idea what all that was going to feel like. I kind of had to make some adjustments on the fly. …
“So I think just the experience, and I look at last year — I didn’t take a meaningful snap, but I had a good year, as far as watching my film in practice and stuff like that. So I feel like I made some improvements that I needed to. I’m excited for the opportunity to play.”
The Bengals opened the season with a 17-16 road win over the Cleveland Browns and a 31-27 home victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ja’Marr Chase leads the team with 16 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown, and Chase Brown has a team-high 90 rushing yards and a score.
Cincinnati likely will also be without first-round pick Shemar Stewart against the Vikings after the defensive end injured his right ankle during the fourth quarter against Jacksonville.
The Vikings earned a 27-24 win over the host Chicago Bears in McCarthy’s NFL debut in Week 1, but they lost 22-6 against the visiting Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. McCarthy struggled to move the ball on offense and was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain this week.
Wentz is no stranger to the NFL, having started for five other teams. He should benefit from the presence of All-Pro teammate Justin Jefferson, who has seven catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.
McCarthy is one of several Vikings players who have been sidelined by injuries the past couple of weeks. Starting running back Aaron Jones is out because of a hamstring injury, meaning backup Jordan Mason could figure prominently into the game plan. Wentz and Mason will work behind a line that may be without center Ryan Kelly and offensive tackle Justin Skule after both were held out of practice on Wednesday because of concussions.
Wentz started one game in each of the past two years, getting a win with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 and taking a loss with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. He owns a career 47-46-1 record as a starter.
“I’ve been staying ready behind the scenes, doing whatever I can,” Wentz said. “It’s been fast-paced trying to learn the offense and learn these guys.
“Physically, I feel great. Mentally, I feel I’m in a good spot. Coaches have done a great job helping me try to grasp this as quick as I can.”
