The Minnesota Vikings are traveling to London for a Sunday morning game with the Cleveland Browns, and they have been hoping to get starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy back on the field.
McCarthy has been out of action for a period of time, and it has led Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell to call on veteran Carson Wentz to run the offense. Will McCarthy be able to play in London?
What’s the Latest on J.J. McCarthy?
As much as O’Connell would love to have McCarthy take the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, that’s not going to happen. McCarthy has been dealing with a high ankle sprain, and it has kept him on the sidelines.
On Friday, McCarthy was ruled out of Sunday’s game, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero. Back on Wednesday, O’Connell was asked when he might expect McCarthy back in the lineup.
“My hope is soon,” O’Connell said, according to a post on X from Alec Lewis of The Athletic. “Sooner rather than later, we can get him at least back on an individual level, where he’s throwing to our guys. And working on his technique and fundamentals.
“I probably would not expose him to the look team, maybe at some point to get him some real reps,” O’Connell said. “But I think it’s more important to just feel his footwork.”
McCarthy, who was drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Vikings out of Michigan, was supposed to be a solid replacement for Sam Darnold. McCarthy made a few throws on the sidelines during a Vikings practice on Thursday.
Still, no McCarthy. In two games this season, McCarthy is 24-of-41 passing for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Vikings lost their season opener to the Atlanta Falcons 22-6, then rebounded with a 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears on the road. McCarthy was the starter in both of those games.
Wentz gets the call on Sunday and hopes to bounce back from last week’s defeat. In a 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Wentz went 30-of-46 passing for 350 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Vikings also have a number of starting offensive linemen out, too, so Wentz will have to rely on his veteran experience.
Wentz has been in the NFL for 10 seasons. He’s played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs. Wentz led the Eagles to a victory in Super Bowl LII.
For the Vikings, they sure hope Wentz can repeat his effort from Week 4, as Minnesota will play overseas against the Browns.
