Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons. When does the team expect to see him next? The former Michigan standout limped off the field in his second career start.
While he returned to finish the contest, the signal-caller looked rather hobbled. Now, looking towards a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals, what is the latest prognosis?
Will Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Miss Sunday’s Game Against the Bengals?
After a stellar debut against the Bears, McCarthy and his team looked to fall back to the pack. During a 22-6 loss to Atlanta, the Vikings suffered twice. First, the offense gained 198 yards. More importantly, McCarthy sustained an injury while running during the third quarter. Head coach Kevin O’Connell explained the situation.
“He just kind of got rolled up on,” O’Connell said. “In the moment, we didn’t necessarily think it was that significant when we came off after that series. There was somebody in the blue [medical] tent, so he got it evaluated right there, got it taped up, and went back in the game. Hearing from our medical staff, it’s one of those things that tends to be much worse today than it probably was in the moment, with adrenaline and everything.“
To his credit, McCarthy returned and tried to push through the pain during the game, presumably earning even more respect from his teammates. The second-year player did not enjoy a stellar night against the Falcons, going 11 of 21 with 158 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. Along the way, Atlanta sacked him six times.
Falcons with the strip sack on JJ McCarthy 😤
Atlanta leads 12-6 over Minnesota in the fourth quarter pic.twitter.com/T4t3WI4JzH
— BlitzBuzz (@BlitzBuzzX) September 15, 2025
Veteran Carson Wentz will start in McCarthy’s stead. Wentz, a veteran, enters his tenth season and first with the Vikings. A well-traveled passer, the second-overall pick of the 2016 draft, spent his first five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before single-year stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs.
While McCarthy’s injuries appear to arrive at an inopportune time, as most do, all is not lost. On Sunday, Minnesota welcomes the Cincinnati Bengals to town. The Bengals will start Jake Browning in place of Joe Burrow, who will miss three months after suffering a toe injury that required surgery. This matchup plays into the Vikings’ hands, even without McCarthy.
Cincinnati will play a veteran backup quarterback against Minnesota, who will throw exotic blitz packages at the Bengals to confuse them. Additionally, the defense could see safety if Harrison Smith and linebackers Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel return.
If his ankle responds well to treatment, McCarthy could return in time for the trip to Pittsburgh the following week. But the real question is what version of McCarthy will return from injury.
