According to Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, J.J. McCarthy reported to the team’s facilities on Monday morning with a sore ankle, and the second-year passer’s status heading into Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals is uncertain.
Initial reports ruled McCarthy out for the upcoming contest.
However, further indications are that the Vikings do not yet know the full extent of the young passer’s injury at this point in the week, though he is not expected to play.
J.J. McCarthy Injury ‘Big News’ for Vikings
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up against the Atlanta Falcons.
McCarthy has completed 58.3% of his passes for 301 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions this season, adding another 50 yards and 1 TD on seven rushing attempts. McCarthy’s was the final injury update O’Connell delivered in the session.
“J.J. McCarthy did come in very, very sore today with the ankle sprain. I would anticipate we are not planning on having him for Sunday,” O’Connell told reporters on September 15. “Don’t likely see this being any kind of short-term IR thing. But I do want to see – and [vice president of player health and performance Tyler Williams] and the group want to see – how he responds to treatment this week.
“Give him a ton of credit. Just the toughness to get that thing taped up and keep playing. But, yeah, that is something that we were able to determine today. So, obviously tough news there.”
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis called the update “big news.”
Notably, the Bengals will be without star QB Joe Burrow, who suffered a foot injury that requires surgery and will sideline him for at least three months. That sets the stage for a battle of backups with Cincy’s Jake Browning and presumed Vikings QB2 Carson Wentz.
Super Bowl Champion Set to Take Over for Vikings
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 and Carson Wentz #11 of the Minnesota Vikings look on before a game against the Chicago Bears.
“ESPN sources: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is expected to be sidelined two-to-four weeks with a high ankle sprain,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on September 15.
“With McCathy [sic] out, Vikings QB Carson Wentz is now in line to start.”
The Vikings braced themselves for an event such as this with McCarthy, who missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus. The Vikings signed the former No. 2 overall pick (2016) and veteran journeyman, Wentz, late in training camp.
Rookie undrafted free agent Max Brosmer is the only other QB on the Vikings’ roster entering Week 3, with a daunting travel schedule ahead.
Wentz appears in line to start in Week 3 if McCarthy indeed misses the game.
“Carson Wentz got starts with the #Rams and #Chiefs in Week 18 the last two years with starters resting,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo posted following the McCarthy news. “Sunday with the #Vikings, if indeed J.J. McCarthy is out, will be his first start with a team at full strength since 2022 with the #Commanders.”
“The #Vikings face the #Bengals on Sunday and then head overseas for Weeks 4 and 5 in Dublin and London, respectively,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted on X on September 15. “An additional challenge as they try to get QB1 healthy and ready to return. For now, it’s Carson Wentz time.”
Wentz, a Super Bowl champion thanks to his role in helping the 2017 Eagles, could get an extended run as the Vikings’ QB1 thanks to McCarthy’s injury.
J.J. McCarthy Possibly Injured on Questionable Play
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings fumbles while being sacked by Zach Harrison #96 of the Atlanta Falcons.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones speculated on which exact play McCarthy suffered the injury, settling on a scramble in the third quarter during which the former No. 10 overall pick was brought down by two Atlanta Falcons defenders.
Jones pointed to the possibility that the play “has several elements of a hip-drop tackle.”
McCarthy, 22, completed 52.4% of his passes for 15 yards, with 0 TDs, 2 INTs, and absorbed 6 sacks on Sunday night against the Falcons.
“McCarthy hasn’t played well outside of one quarter through 2 games, but that play has nothing to do with him missing Week 3 and (potentially) beyond,” Jones said in a follow-up post. “Don’t get it twisted. It’s about injury.”
Schefter’s reported timeline would put McCarthy on track to return by Week 6, which is the Vikings’ bye.
That would allow the Vikings to rest McCarthy until Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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