McCarthy Sidelined: Rookie Vikings QB Faces Injury Setback Early in NFL Career

In a disappointing development for the Minnesota Vikings, rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is expected to miss two to four weeks with a high-ankle sprain suffered during Sunday night’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Monday that McCarthy was “very sore” following the injury and would likely miss the Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. “We are not planning on having [McCarthy] for Sunday,” O’Connell told reporters. “I don’t see this being any kind of short-term IR thing, but I do want to see how he responds to treatment this week.” This setback is particularly frustrating for McCarthy and Vikings fans, as the young quarterback had already lost his entire rookie season in 2024 to a meniscus tear suffered early in training camp.

The timing couldn’t be more challenging for McCarthy, who was just beginning to find his footing in the NFL. After leading a thrilling come-from-behind victory against the Chicago Bears in his professional debut, McCarthy struggled against the Falcons in Minnesota’s home opener, throwing two interceptions without a touchdown in the 22-6 loss. Protection has been a major issue for the young signal-caller, who endured six sacks against Atlanta after being taken down three times in Chicago. These early challenges have contributed to McCarthy’s difficult statistical start – he currently ranks 32nd among 33 qualified quarterbacks with a QBR of just 20.4, having completed 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions across his first two NFL appearances.

McCarthy’s journey to this point has been anything but smooth. Selected in the first round by the Vikings, many expected him to step immediately into a starting role last season. Instead, his meniscus tear sidelined him for the entire 2024 campaign, unexpectedly opening the door for Sam Darnold to take control of the offense. Darnold made the most of his opportunity, guiding Minnesota to an impressive 14-3 record before departing for Seattle in the offseason, where he’s now 1-1 as the Seahawks’ starter. McCarthy’s current injury represents another unfortunate detour in what was supposed to be a promising beginning to his NFL career.

With McCarthy sidelined, the Vikings will turn to veteran Carson Wentz to lead the offense. At 32 years old, Wentz brings considerable experience to the position, though he’s spent the past two seasons in backup roles with the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. The former second-overall pick will now have an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities in O’Connell’s offense while McCarthy recovers. Adding to Minnesota’s injury concerns, veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr. also left Sunday’s game early with a hamstring issue, further complicating the team’s offensive outlook heading into Week 3.

Interestingly, the Vikings’ next opponent is dealing with quarterback troubles of their own. The Cincinnati Bengals may be without Joe Burrow for most of the regular season, as reports indicate surgery is needed to address a turf toe injury he sustained during Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This creates an unusual scenario where two teams built around young franchise quarterbacks will likely be fielding backups when they meet. While disappointing for fans hoping to see a McCarthy-Burrow matchup, it highlights the physical toll the quarterback position takes in today’s NFL.

For McCarthy, this injury represents another test of resilience in what has already been a challenging start to his professional career. Despite the setbacks, the Vikings remain committed to his development as their quarterback of the future. How quickly he can recover and return to the field will be crucial for both his growth and the team’s prospects this season. In the meantime, the Vikings must adapt once again to unexpected circumstances at the sport’s most important position, hoping that Wentz can provide steady leadership during McCarthy’s absence. For a young quarterback who has already missed significant development time, each week away from game action represents valuable experience lost in his NFL maturation process.