J.J. McCarthy to Miss 2-4 Weeks with Ankle Injury

Injury Details

The Minnesota Vikings have announced that quarterback J.J. McCarthy is expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks due to a high ankle sprain. The injury occurred during the Vikings’ recent game against the Atlanta Falcons, where McCarthy rolled his right ankle while scrambling in the third quarter. This setback marks another challenging chapter in McCarthy’s young NFL career, which has already been hindered by injuries.

Backup Plans

In McCarthy’s absence, the Vikings will turn to backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who was signed by the team on August 24. Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that Wentz will start in the upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is expected to serve as Wentz’s backup. Despite the injury, the Vikings do not plan to place McCarthy on short-term injured reserve, indicating that they hope for a quicker recovery.

The Impact of McCarthy’s Injury

This injury is particularly disheartening for McCarthy, who was the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He missed his entire rookie season due to a strained meniscus in his right knee and has had limited playing time in his first two starts, throwing only 41 passes and compiling a QBR of just 20.1, the second-lowest in the league. O’Connell expressed his disappointment about the injury, emphasizing the importance of McCarthy’s development and the team’s commitment to nurturing his growth as a player.

“Obviously tough news there,” O’Connell remarked. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.” He further noted that McCarthy’s injury will delay the developmental process the team had planned for him this season.

Game Performance

McCarthy’s performance has been inconsistent thus far. Aside from a strong fourth quarter in Week 1, where he led the Vikings to three touchdowns in a comeback victory over the Chicago Bears, he has struggled. In total, he has thrown for 301 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions, while also being sacked nine times. His average throw time of 3.35 seconds is among the highest in the NFL, suggesting that he is taking time to read defenses and make decisions.

O’Connell clarified that the decision to sideline McCarthy was purely medical and not a reflection of his performance on the field. “It was pretty crushing this morning to hear [about the injury],” he said. “For J.J., he’s in a long process, a long journey right now where there’s going to be some ups and downs.”

Carson Wentz’s Experience

Carson Wentz, who will step in as the starter, brings a wealth of experience to the Vikings. He is on his sixth team in as many seasons and did not participate in training camp this summer. The Vikings had initially entered camp with veteran quarterback Sam Howell, but after a disappointing performance, they traded Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles and sought Wentz.

Wentz has previously played in similar offensive schemes, including a stint as a backup for Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams in 2023. O’Connell noted that Wentz had been impressive during practice, especially when he took first-team reps while McCarthy was absent for personal reasons last week. “He’s really smart, a guy that’s played a lot of football, and he’s been able to get himself to a place where he’s felt very comfortable these past two weeks,” O’Connell said.

Additional Injury Concerns

In addition to McCarthy, the Vikings are facing potential absences from several other key players. Running back Aaron Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury, and both center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule have entered the concussion protocol. The team is also monitoring the health of other veterans, including left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee), safety Harrison Smith (personal health issue), linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion protocol), and cornerback Jeff Okudah (concussion protocol).

As the Vikings prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Bengals, they will need to navigate these injury challenges while hoping for a swift recovery for McCarthy.

Key Facts

– J.J. McCarthy is expected to miss 2-4 weeks due to a high ankle sprain.
– Carson Wentz will start in McCarthy’s place against the Cincinnati Bengals.
– McCarthy was the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and has had limited playing time due to injuries.
– He has thrown for 301 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in his first two starts.
– The Vikings are also monitoring several other players dealing with injuries, including Aaron Jones and Ryan Kelly.

Source: www.espn.com