Breaking: JJ McCarthy Out with Ankle Injury for MN Vikings

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J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

If things on the injury front weren’t bad enough for the Minnesota Vikings, they just got much worse on Monday afternoon when head coach Kevin O’Connell took the podium for his weekly day-after-game press conference, which almost always begins with injury updates.

Apparently, McCarthy came to the Minnesota Vikings facilities on Monday in serious pain. After being checked out by trainers and team doctors, he and the Vikings now know why.

JJ McCarthy out Sunday against Bengals

Monday, in shocking fashion, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed to reporters that J.J. McCarthy is being added to the ever-growing list of injured Vikings, with a sprained ankle.

How bad is it? According to KOC, McCarthy will be out this weekend against the Bengals. After that — with Minnesota’s overseas back-to-back looming on the schedule — JJ’s status is more up in the air.

Nonetheless, the Vikings are calling it a 2-4 week I injury, which Waldo brings the week 6 bye into play.

So, not only are the Cincinnati Bengals playing a backup quarterback on Sunday, but the Minnesota Vikings will now join the QB2 party, assumed with Carson Wentz under center.

McCarthy didn’t miss any game action during Sunday night’s loss to the Falcons, completing 11-of-21 passes for 158 yards and two interceptions.

He also was hit plenty and took a whopping six sacks. It was on a scramble during the 3rd quarter in which he was tackled near the sideline and had his ankle rolled up on.

How concerned should MN Vikings fans be?

McCarthy got his ankle taped on the sideline, over his shoe, and was back in the game for the next drive. Ultimately though, it’s not a situation where they can put him back on the field this week.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Ravaged by Injuries Yet Again

O’Connell did note that this isn’t a situation making them believe McCarthy will need a short-term injured reserve stint. That’s a positive, but it remains to be seen how quickly he can bounce back. Obviously he missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery.

Adam Schefter is reporting the injury will sideline McCarthy for two-to-four weeks. The short end of that timeline is difficult because Minnesota will be overseas for two straight weeks after their game against Cincinnati on Sunday. The long end of the timeframe makes injured reserve a probable.

Carson Wentz under center for Minnesota Vikings

If all goes as planned this week, Carson Wentz will make his Minnesota Vikings debut on Sunday vs Cincinnati. The Vikings signed Wentz to replace Sam Howell as the backup, just days before the season began.

Last season Wentz backed up star Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He made one start and played in three total games. His last touchdown came in 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams.

Wentz hasn’t been a consistent starter since 2022 when he was under center for eight games (seven starts) with the Washington Commanders.

Minnesota now must hope that O’Connell can continue his quarterback whispering ways and help Wentz to find some late-career magic as he did with both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones.

The former NDSU star has plenty of experience at the NFL level, but does he possess the skillset the Vikings need in their QB? Sounds like we are about to find out.

Related: Vikings’ Next Opponent Takes the Ultimate Blow

2024 Minnesota Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer will now be elevated to the backup role, rather than being inactive on game day, as he was the first two weeks of the 2025 regular season.

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