The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation remains unsettled as they prepare for a high-profile international matchup. J.J. McCarthy’s status is clouded by injury and uncertainty over who will lead Minnesota’s offense in Dublin.
What Happened to J.J. McCarthy?
McCarthy suffered a high right ankle sprain during the Vikings’ Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, forcing him to exit the game and miss all of Week 3’s preparations.
He was held out of Minnesota’s victory over the Bengals this past Sunday, and, as of Monday, head coach Kevin O’Connell officially ruled McCarthy out for the Vikings’ Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland.
McCarthy has shed his walking boot and is making progress in his recovery, but O’Connell emphasized that the second-year quarterback will not return until he is fully healthy and able to participate in all practice activities.
O’Connell told reporters, “First and foremost, he’s got to get healthy. And then, I don’t think it’s one of those things where it’s, hey, he’s healthy the night before a game, we’re going to throw him out there and say, ‘Hey, go figure it out’ type of thing.”
The coach also noted that McCarthy missed a day of practice prior to Week 2 due to the birth of his first child, and that missing valuable reps impacted his readiness.
“When you’re in the phase of building up the 10,000 reps and 10,000 hours of what it takes to play the position at a very high level, which we know J.J. McCarthy is going to do, you can’t cut corners on that,” O’Connell added.
Vikings’ QB Options for Week 4 vs. Steelers
With McCarthy ruled out, quarterback Carson Wentz will start for the Vikings against the Steelers in Dublin. Wentz led Minnesota to its best offensive performance of the season in Week 3, completing 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, with no turnovers, in a 48-10 win over the Bengals.
O’Connell indicated that Wentz will remain the starter as long as McCarthy is sidelined and declined to guarantee McCarthy’s immediate return to the lineup once healthy. He also acknowledged there is value in McCarthy observing a veteran like Wentz lead the offense, especially as the young quarterback continues to recover and build experience.
McCarthy will travel with the team to Dublin and London for their international games, but his next opportunity to return may not come until after the team’s Week 6 bye, when the Vikings face the Philadelphia Eagles at home.
Minnesota’s offense will look to maintain momentum behind Wentz while McCarthy focuses on a full recovery and regaining his practice rhythm.
