J.J. McCarthy was able to finish last night’s game for the Vikings, but at least one contest spent on the sidelines appears to be in store. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said on Monday (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero) the second-year quarterback is likely to miss Week 3. 
An ankle sprain is to blame for the (expected) missed time. O’Connell added a move to injured reserve is not expected, but a firm timetable is not currently in place (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). For at least Minnesota’s upcoming game, it looks as though Carson Wentz will be tasked with handling starting duties. Seifert’s colleague Adam Schefter reports a recovery timeline of two to four weeks could be in store.
McCarthy struggled through the first three quarters of his debut in Week 1. The 2024 No. 10 pick rallied in the fourth to lead the Vikings to a win. Last night against the Falcons, no such resurgence took place. Minnesota lost 22-6 during a game in which the team managed only 10 first downs. McCarthy was sacked six times and intercepted twice. O’Connell did note on Monday the 22-year’s absence (should he miss Week 3) will be strictly based on the injury, not his performance.
A meniscus tear suffered during the preseason last summer resulted in surgery for McCarthy. The Michigan product managed to rehab to the point where he was fully cleared in time for training camp, though. Handling first-team reps throughout the summer, he entered the year with high expectations based on his draft stock and O’Connell’s track record with respect to maximizing the potential of his quarterbacks. Things have not gone according to plan so far in terms of production, and now this ailment stands to delay McCarthy’s development process to an extent.
Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones both departed in free agency knowing the starting position would be handed down to McCarthy. Their absences left Sam Howell in place to handle QB2 duties once he was traded from the Seahawks to the Vikings during the draft. More recently, however, Howell was dealt from Minnesota to Philadelphia with the Vikings electing to sign Wentz late in free agency.
The 32-year-old has made 94 starts in his career, with his most recent spell atop a depth chart coming in Washington in 2022. Wentz served as a backup with the Rams the following year and then did the same with the Chiefs last season. A short stint at the helm early in his Minnesota tenure now looks to be in store.
O’Connell also said on Monday that running back Aaron Jones is unlikely to play against the Bengals in Week 3. With multiple starters up front in danger of remaining sidelined for that game as well, Wentz could find himself at the helm of a notably shorthanded unit.