JJ McCarthy Injury Update: Vikings Quarterback to Miss 2–4 Weeks, Carson Wentz Steps In

Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy will be sidelined for two to four weeks with an ankle injury. The setback came during the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Carson Wentz will take over as the starting quarterback while McCarthy recovers.

The team confirmed the news on Monday. According to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter, McCarthy could be back by October 24 when the Vikings face the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury is a blow to Minnesota’s offense, which is still searching for consistency this season.

JJ McCarthy Timeline and Games He May Miss

McCarthy’s injury means he will likely sit out Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 21 and Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 28. He may also miss Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns on October 5 and Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 19.

Carson Wentz, the veteran backup, will now lead the Vikings offense. Wentz brings experience but has struggled with form in recent seasons. The pressure will be on him to keep the team competitive in McCarthy’s absence.

According to reports from Reuters, the Vikings medical team believes McCarthy’s recovery will be steady. However, the exact return date will depend on how well his ankle responds to treatment over the next few weeks.

Impact on the Vikings’ Season Outlook

The Vikings entered the season with hopes of making a playoff run under their young quarterback. Losing McCarthy so early in the campaign adds uncertainty. Fans will be watching closely to see if Wentz can deliver wins in a tough stretch of games.

Minnesota faces strong defensive teams in the coming weeks, which could make the challenge even harder. The matchup against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6 stands out as a major test. If McCarthy is not back by then, the Vikings could find themselves in a difficult position in the NFC standings.

The team remains hopeful that McCarthy will return in time for the Chargers clash on October 24. That game could mark a turning point in the season if he comes back fully fit.

The JJ McCarthy injury update is a critical storyline for the Vikings. His recovery will define the team’s path in the next month. Fans now turn their eyes to Carson Wentz as the temporary leader of the offense.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: How long will JJ McCarthy be out?

He is expected to miss two to four weeks with an ankle injury. His return is targeted for October 24 against the Chargers.

Q2: Who is replacing JJ McCarthy as Vikings QB?

Carson Wentz will step in as the starting quarterback during McCarthy’s recovery period.

Q3: Which games will JJ McCarthy likely miss?

He is expected to miss Week 3 vs. Bengals, Week 4 vs. Steelers, and could also miss Week 5 vs. Browns and Week 6 vs. Eagles.

Q4: When is JJ McCarthy expected to return?

If his recovery goes well, he should be back by the Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 24.

Q5: How does this affect the Vikings’ season?

The Vikings will rely on Carson Wentz during this stretch. The results could impact their playoff hopes depending on how many games they win.