Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has appeared in just two games this season after suffering an ankle injury during the team’s Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The second-year signal-caller was initially expected to miss two to four weeks, so will he be ready to return in Week 6? Here’s the latest on McCarthy’s injury status.
Will J.J. McCarthy Play in Week 6?
The good news for Vikings fans is that Minnesota is on a bye in Week 6, giving McCarthy extra time to recover. The second-year quarterback has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain, which has kept him out of the team’s last three games.
While his status past the bye week remains unknown, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported on Tuesday that the Vikings plan to have McCarthy at the facility during the bye week so he can throw with teammates as he works his way back from the injury.
The fact that he’s taking part in workouts and throwing sessions is an encouraging sign that he could be ready to return for the Vikings’ Week 7 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Injuries have been a problem for McCarthy early in his NFL career. After the Vikings took him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, he tore his meniscus in the preseason and missed his entire rookie year.
McCarthy’s been up and down in the two games he’s played this season. He’s completed 24 of his 41 attempts for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, adding 50 yards and a score on the ground. According to PFSN’s QBi metric, he currently ranks as the 34th quarterback in the NFL this season.
Returning to the field is crucial for the young quarterback’s development, as nothing will help him grow more than live game reps. The bye week should give him enough time to fully recover from the ankle sprain and be ready to take on the Eagles on October 19.
Carson Wentz has taken over at quarterback for the Vikings in McCarthy’s absence and has played well, throwing for 759 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. In his three starts, he ranks 16th among NFL quarterbacks according to PFSN’s QBi metric, giving the Vikings a more than capable backup if McCarthy isn’t ready to return.
Now, barring any significant setbacks, all signs point to McCarthy being ready for Week 7. The Vikings’ Week 6 bye comes at a perfect time, giving the quarterback an extra week to fully recover before returning to the field.