NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Minnesota Vikings Quarterback JJ McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to injury, and after only two games in the 2025 campaign, he is expected to miss more time.
McCarthy is expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks due to a high ankle sprain that suffered in Sunday evening’s loss to Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN.
Viking’s head coach Kevin O’Connell said on Monday morning that McCarthy was “very sore” after the injury and he would probably miss Week 3’s competition against Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are dealing with their own quarterback questions as Joe Burrow could miss most of the regular season because surgery is needed to recover from peat to Torvtå, there was a little Sunday against Jacksonville Jaguars.
CLICK HERE for more sports cover at Foxnews.com
JJ McCarthy from Minnesota Vikings warms against Atlanta Falcons before the game at the US Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
“We are not planning to have [McCarthy] To Sunday told “O’Connell journalists.” I do not see that this is any kind of short-lived IR thing, but I would like to see how he is responding to treatment this week. “
Falcons run over Vikings to spoil the home opener as JJ McCarthy fights
McCarthy was fired six times in the 22-6 loss in the Vikings home opener on Sunday night, and he was fired three times in an exciting come-from-back victory against Chicago Bears in his NFL debut. But McCarthy had no magic in the 4th quarter this time when he threw two intercepts and no touchdowns in a fighting performance that resulted in more than just one loss.
McCarthy missed the entire 2024 season after being chosen by the Vikings in the first round, where he was expected to begin his rookie year in an exit role. He tore his meniscus early in training camp, which gave the keys to O’Connell’s violation to Sam Darnold, who led Minnesota to a 14-3 record. Darnold is now 1-1 to start his season with Seattle Seahawks.
JJ McCarthy #9 of Minnesota Vikings responds during the game against Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Despite his comeback in Chicago, McCarthy has not been the most effective quarterback in his first two NFL starter. He has a QBR of 20.4 that ranks 32. Out of 33 qualified quarterbacks in the league to begin the 2025 season. He has completed 24 of 41 passes in 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions over two games.
With McCarthy sidelines, O’Connell will give the reins to Carson Wentz, the 32-year-old, who has played a backup role for Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs the last two seasons.
JJ McCarthy from Minnesota Vikings looks at after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at US Bank Stadium on November 3, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)
The Vikings also deal with damage news for the veteran, who runs back Aaron Jones Sr., who suffered a hamstring injury that ended his game prematurely.
