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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is expected to be ruled out for his team's Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a high ankle sprain, head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters on Monday (September 15).
McCarthy is reportedly expected to miss two-to-four weeks due to the injury, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz, who signed with the Vikings last month, is expected to start in McCarthy's absence if he's unavailable, while undrafted rookie Max Brosmer would serve as his backup. McCarthy, who was named Week 1 NFL Offensive Player of the Week after leading Minnesota to a comeback win against the NFC North Division rival Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, struggled in his second career start, throwing for 158 yards and two interceptions on 11 of 21 passing, while also fumbling the ball three times, though he recovered two.
The Vikings passed on several veterans this offseason with the intention to go all-in on McCarthy, who was selected at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in preseason. Minnesota opted not to franchise tag Sam Darnold, who had a career renaissance during his lone season with the franchise before signing with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, Daniel Jones, who spent the latter half of the 2024 season on the Vikings' practice squad and later signed with the Indianapolis Colts and reportedly denied interest from four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
McCarthy was just months removed from leading Michigan Wolverines to an undefeated season and College Football Playoff National Championship Game victory when he was selected by the Vikings last April, concluding his collegiate career with a 27-1 record as a starter.