Preseason Finale: Vikings' QB Room Reshuffled by Injury as Broncos Host
The Minnesota Vikings travel to Denver on Friday, August 28, with their quarterback room in flux after J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending torn meniscus, handing the backup job behind Kyler Murray to Carson Wentz by default. Denver enters at 1-1 in the preseason without a notable quarterback competition of its own, giving the Broncos a more settled outlook heading into this finale.
McCarthy's season-ending injury reshapes Minnesota's depth chart
With McCarthy out for the year, Wentz becomes the clear No. 2 quarterback behind Murray, a significant swing in a Vikings quarterback picture that had been unsettled all camp.
Denver enters with no QB drama
Without an open competition to sort out, the Broncos can focus this finale purely on roster-bubble evaluations.
Wentz gets an early audition
As the new backup by default, Wentz's reps in this finale carry extra weight for how Minnesota plans its quarterback room.
AI Prediction
Vikings 
Broncos Minnesota's quarterback room took a real hit
Losing McCarthy for the season leaves the Vikings thinner at the position than they entered camp expecting.
Denver's settled situation is a stabilizing factor
Without a quarterback battle to manage, the Broncos can approach this finale with a clearer plan.
Home field offers a modest additional edge
Playing at home against a team working through a fresh quarterback-depth question favors Denver further.
This is a preseason exhibition finale. Minnesota's sudden quarterback-depth change following McCarthy's injury is the headline storyline, though confidence stays low given the backup-driven nature of preseason finales.
Broncos Leaders
Vikings Leaders
Team Stats
| Vikings | Stat | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | Points Per Game | 20.0 |
| 289.0 | Total Yards | 299.0 |
| 201.0 | Yards Passing | 183.0 |
| 88.0 | Yards Rushing | 116.0 |
| 11.5 | Points Allowed Per Game | 20.0 |
| 240.5 | Yards Allowed | 251.0 |
| 176.5 | Pass Yards Allowed | 162.5 |
| 64.0 | Rush Yards Allowed | 88.5 |
Venue
Closing Line
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Broncos Injuries