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Breaking: JJ McCarthy Out with Ankle Injury for MN Vikings
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- Breaking: JJ McCarthy Out with Ankle Injury for MN Vikings
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
If things on the injury front weren't bad enough for the Minnesota Vikings , they just got worse on Monday afternoon. Head coach Kevin O'Connell took the podium to give injury updates on his team. They are largely walking wounded at this point.
Unfortunately the most shocking news that came to light was that J.J. McCarthy is now being added to the group on the trainer's table. The head coach said he does not anticipate the young starter playing on Sunday .
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JJ McCarthy out Sunday against Bengals
Not only are the Cincinnati Bengals playing a backup quarterback on Sunday, but the Minnesota Vikings will be also. McCarthy suffered an ankle injury but remained in the game. He came into the facility on Monday in serious pain, and now is out for Week 3.
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Just in: Vikings QB JJ McCarthy has been ruled out for Sunday's game vs. the Bengals due to an ankle injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2025
McCarthy didn't miss any game action during Sunday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons . He went 11-of-21 for 158 yards and threw two interceptions. He also was hit plenty and took a whopping six sacks.
Among those hits is likely when McCarthy's ankle was rolled up on. O'Connell mentioned that his quarterback got things taped up and went back in the game. Ultimately though, it's not a situation where they can put him back on the field this week .
Kevin O'Connell said he does not think J.J. McCarthy's ankle sprain will require a short-term IR stay, but he does not yet have a firm timetable for how many games he will miss.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 15, 2025
Related: Minnesota Vikings Ravaged by Injuries Yet Again
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O'Connell did note that this isn't a situation they 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 .
Carson Wentz under center for Minnesota Vikings
With J.J. McCarthy unavailable against the Bengals, it will be veteran backup Carson Wentz that makes his Minnesota Vikings debut. He was signed to replace Sam Howell as the backup just before the season began.
Carson Wentz will start at quarterback on Sunday for the #Vikings , Kevin O'Connell said.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) September 15, 2025
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 .
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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 presumably Daniel Jones . Wentz has plenty of experience at the NFL level, but to what extent O'Connell can make it work remains to be seen.
Related: Vikings' Next Opponent Takes the Ultimate Blow
Former Minnesota Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer will now be elevated to the backup role rather than inactive status as he was the first two weeks.
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