The Minnesota Vikings play the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon in their second preseason game of the schedule.
We should be seeing plenty of Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy at QB during the exhibition. Kyler Murray will not be participating, leaving plenty of opportunity for the QBs behind him.
During the Giants game, McCarthy got the bulk of the work in the first half, with Wentz getting work in the second. Wentz had initially been taken out, but then Max Brosmer injured his thumb. This led to Wentz playing the rest of the game. He threw the would-be game-winning touchdown to Myles Price.
Carson Wentz spoke to the media after practice on Thursday and had a clear message for J.J. McCarthy.
Vikings QB Carson Wentz Talks J.J. McCarthy, His Own Role on the Offense
GettyCarson Wentz #11 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Carson Wentz spoke with Kyle Joudry of Vikings Territory after practice. Joudry asked an interesting question, inquiring about how J.J. McCarthy has handled his demotion.
“I think he’s handled it well,” began Wentz. “It’s a tough business. It’s a tough league…tough with media, the pressure, all the things that come with it.” Joudry mentioned that Wentz “hastened to add” that “the story is far from written for him, for Kyler, and for myself.”
Wentz finished on the topic of McCarthy: “I think he’s gotten better since I got here. I’ve seen it firsthand.” Joudry then says he pivoted off of the McCarthy questioning and moved on to Carson Wentz’s own role on the Vikings. He shared the answer in full.
“Great question. It’s help the team however I can. Stay ready, whatever that looks like. Yeah, at the end of the day it’s why I signed here is to, if my number gets called, I’m confident in what I can do and what I can bring to the table within this system especially. So we’ll see how it all shakes out.”
Carson Wentz seems as supportive as he should be of the young QB. Even if they’re competing for the QB2 spot, they’re still teammates. Carson Wentz, of all people, knows how cruel the league can be.
Demond Claiborne Listed as ‘Loser’ of Thursday Joint Practice
GettyRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 25: Demond Claiborne #1 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons smiles before the first half prior to the game against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)
Jason Harmon of Vikings on SI recapped Minnesota’s Thursday joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens. He provided some winners and some losers, with one of the losers being Demond Claiborne.
“It seems like Demond Claiborne is hopping all over these lists daily, and that’s really the best way to summarize his camp so far.” Those were Harmon’s first words on Claiborne, revealing an up-and-down offseason so far for the rookie back.
Harmon noted that Claiborne’s ball security is a “concern.” He mentioned that the ball security has been a problem all offseason long, but today “really showcased how detrimental it could ultimately be.”
There was some light in the tunnel for Claiborne on Thursday. Jason Harmon mentioned a nice roughly 15-yard-run during 11-on-11s with the second-team unit. That was the extent of the rainbow, as he had a “brutal” fumble on a run a few plays later. It ended up being recovered by the Ravens’ defense.
It’s hard to say that Claiborne won’t make the team yet, but continued ball security issues will make it less likely that he will.
Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy Gets Clear Message from Carson Wentz