Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. How much time is McCarthy expected to miss?
J.J. McCarthy Injury Update
https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1967664216342458849
The Vikings could be without McCarthy for the foreseeable future.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that McCarthy sprained his ankle and will likely miss Week 3’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“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 said via the Vikings’ social media. “And don’t likely see this being any kind of short-term IR thing. But, I do want to see how he responds to treatment this week.”
O’Connell did not talk about McCarthy’s status after Week 3.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the ankle sprain will likely sideline McCarthy for two to four weeks.
Quarterback Carson Wentz is expected to start in Week 3.
It’s been a tale of two games for McCarthy to start the season. In the Vikings’ 27-24 Week 1 victory over the Chicago Bears, McCarthy struggled mightily through three quarters, capped off by a pick-six interception he threw in the third quarter.
In the final quarter, McCarthy was brilliant, recording two touchdown passes and one touchdown run in the comeback victory.
Week 2 was a different story. McCarthy experienced significant growing pains in the 22-6 loss to the Falcons.
McCarthy finished 11 of 21 for 158 yards and two interceptions. More concerning was the Vikings’ offensive line, which surrendered six sacks to the Falcons’ defense.
Even with a 1-1 record, early returns on McCarthy have been inconclusive. How the young quarterback returns after this injury will determine a lot about his progress as a potential franchise quarterback.
Carson Wentz To Start For Vikings
https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1967658641286369348
With McCarthy out, Wentz makes his first start as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Eagles drafted Wentz with the No. 2 pick in 2016. Wentz was playing at an MVP level during the 2017 season before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 14.
Backup quarterback Nick Foles took over for Wentz and led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
Since 2020, Wentz has played for a new team every season. These teams include the Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, and Vikings.
The 32-year-old now has a chance to prove he can still be a starter in the NFL.
The Vikings (1-1) host the Bengals (2-0) in Week 3.
