The Minnesota Vikings are keeping tabs on a former draft target after J.J. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain that will leave him sidelined for up to four weeks.
While Carson Wentz was named the team’s Week 3 starter, the Vikings needed a veteran buffer to fill in so undrafted rookie Max Brosmer would not be thrust into action in an emergency.
The Vikings ultimately signed former Atlanta Falcons third-round pick Desmond Ridder, but they also had a 2023 draft target of theirs in for a workout — former UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson — per the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling.
Thompson-Robinson was one of three quarterbacks the Vikings met with during the 2023 pre-draft process, along with Will Levis and Anthony Richardson. Thompson-Robinson ultimately was selected in the third round by the Cleveland Browns.
He spent two seasons in Cleveland before he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in March. Thompson-Robinson did not impress at Eagles training camp enough to surpass 2024 sixth-round pick Tanner McKee, ultimately leading to his release and Philadelphia trading for Sam Howell to be its third quarterback on the depth chart.
Thompson-Robinson started five games with the Browns over the past two seasons, compiling a 1-4 record and has thrown just one touchdown and 10 interceptions in those games. He also worked out with the Green Bay Packers this week.
Ridder was the right choice for the Vikings, who are seeking a quarterback with experience who can handle being a snap away from playing. Ridder has an 8-10 career record, thrown for over 4,000 yards and has 16 touchdowns to 14 interceptions.
Kevin O’Connell Addresses Vikings QB Plans With Carson Wentz
The Vikings offense is off to one of the worst starts in the NFL, ranking 31st in total yards and 30th in points per drive.
McCarthy has struggled behind an offensive line that was missing starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw and saw starting center Ryan Kelly knocked out of the game in Week 2.
It’s unclear what shape the offensive line will be for Wentz, but the offense will also be shorthanded with Aaron Jones landing on injured reserve this week with a hamstring injury.
Regardless, head coach Kevin O’Connell maintained his confidence in Wentz.
“He’s made throws. He showed his athleticism. He’s big. He can see everything on the field and he’s played a ton of football,” O’Connell said. “He’s carried teams on his back before. He’s not going to need to do that. He’s just going to need to go out there and do the things he’s wildly capable of doing and do that job at a consistent level. My hope is we get the execution around him to be the standard we want it to be.”
Kevin O’Connell Unconcerned With J.J. McCarthy’s Start
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 and Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings look on from the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons.
Appearing on KFAN-FM 100.3 on Tuesday, O’Connell was not nearly as alarmed as many Vikings fans were with McCarthy’s first two starts.
“We didn’t play well as a team. We didn’t play well enough. We didn’t coach well enough. There’s a lot of aspects of it that we missed the mark on but it is Week 2,” O’Connell said. “We are a 1-1 team with a chance to get right back on track this week. I think, coming out of that game, there were some real learning opportunities for our young quarterback.”
O’Connell admitted that McCarthy has not had the protection they envisioned for him when they rehauled the interior with three new starters.
“He was hit too much for my liking early on. We had some mental breakdowns and some physical breakdowns that we’ve got to find a way to rectify. I think we’ll be able to do that as we move on and press forward,” O’Connell said.
Vikings Eyeing Former QB Draft Target After J.J. McCarthy Injury