After a whirlwind start to his NFL career, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is facing another setback.
Just one week after his historic debut, where he led Minnesota to a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback over the Chicago Bears, McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons on September 14.
The injury is expected to sideline him for 2-4 weeks.
What Happened to J.J. McCarthy and How Will it Affect Minnesota?
The sprain happened late in the third quarter on a scramble play. McCarthy was tackled from behind, and his ankle rolled awkwardly under the defender. Even with the pain, he had the ankle taped up and finished the game, but the true severity only became clear the next day when the adrenaline wore off and he reported significant soreness.
This marks the second significant lower-body injury of McCarthy’s young career. He missed his entire rookie season in 2024 after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason, a setback that required surgery and months of rehab.
Now, just two games into his first season as the Vikings’ starting quarterback, he’s dealing with another challenge that could slow his progress and the team’s momentum.
ESPN sources: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is expected to be sidelined two-to-four weeks with a high ankle sprain.
With McCarthy out, Vikings QB Carson Wentz is now in line to start. pic.twitter.com/iZ1qvackMV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2025
The Week 2 game against the Falcons was tough. McCarthy completed 11-of-21 passes for 158 yards, threw two interceptions, and lost a fumble. The Vikings’ offense struggled to find rhythm and failed to score a touchdown.
McCarthy was consistently under pressure from the Falcons’ defense, which resulted in six sacks. He also struggled with accuracy and turnovers. These first two games demonstrate how difficult the learning curve can be for a young quarterback in the NFL, even though his Week 1 debut offered glimpses of promise.
Carson Wentz Expected To Take Over as Starting Quarterback
In McCarthy’s absence, veteran Carson Wentz will take over as the starting quarterback. Wentz brings years of experience and steadiness, giving the Vikings a reliable option while their rookie recovers.
It’s been an emotional couple of weeks for McCarthy. From welcoming his first child with fiancée Katya Kuropas to making history in his NFL debut, only to face a tough loss and now an ankle injury, he’s experienced both the highs and lows of life and football in rapid succession.
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The goal is now to recover and return to the field in better shape. Later in the season, if all goes according to plan, McCarthy might be back to continue establishing the bright future Vikings fans have been waiting for.
Minnesota will need Wentz to maintain the team’s competitiveness and foster the development of its young quarterback in the meantime.