J.J. McCarthy injury: Ankle sprain could sideline Vikings' second-year QB for up to a month in another setback

Bengals QB Joe Burrow is also on the shelf for a Week 3 clash vs. Minnesota

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy sustained an ankle sprain and is unlikely to play in the Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, coach Kevin O'Connell said. That injury could leave McCarthy sidelined for anywhere between two and four weeks, per ESPN. 

The anticipated absence sets up a clash between backup quarterbacks with Bengals star Joe Burrow expected to miss at least three months with turf toe. Carson Wentz projects to start for the Vikings while Jake Browning is the next man up for the Bengals.

"Don't likely see this being any kind of short-term IR thing, but I do want to see -- and Tyler and the group want to see -- how he responds to treatment this week," O'Connell said. "But give him a ton of credit. Just the toughness to get that thing taped up and keep playing. That is something that we were able to determine today, so obviously tough news there."

McCarthy made just two starts before sustaining his latest injury, which sets him up to potentially miss even more time early in his NFL career. The former No. 10 overall pick out of Michigan missed all of last season after undergoing two surgeries to repair a torn meniscus.

Through two games this season, McCarthy displayed a mix of upside and growing pains as he settled in as an NFL starter. He debuted in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears and sparked a late comeback effort, tossing a pair of passing touchdowns and finding the end zone with his legs for a thrilling victory. Sunday night's 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons was not so stellar for McCarthy, who threw two interceptions and fumbled three times without recording a touchdown.

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"I believe it happened on the second-and-20 scramble where he was able to get towards our sideline and just kind of got rolled up," O'Connell said. "In the moment, didn't necessarily think it was significant. When we came off after that series, there was somebody in the blue tent, so he was kind of evaluated right there and just got it taped up and went back in the game.

"I think it's one of those things, just hearing from our medical staff, one of those things that tends to be much worse today than it probably was in the moment to him with adrenaline and everything. But like I said, huge compliment to him for fighting through it and continuing to compete."

The fact that Minnesota played from behind for most of McCarthy's debut, coupled with the immense struggles of Week 2, does not paint the brightest picture for the Vikings' 2025 outlook. The quarterback's development reached a halt before he ever stepped foot in live game action, and it is on pause again as his squad seeks to contend right out of the gate in his starting tenure. Minnesota's offense, which still features star power, could need additional time to reach its peak if McCarthy is again on the sideline for an extended stretch.

While he is essentially entirely unproven at the pro level, McCarthy boasts ample potential as a one-time Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and the leader of Michigan's 2023 national championship team.