J.j. Mccarthy Injury Timeline: When Vikings Expect To Get Qb Back

On nan heels of an opening weekend comeback triumph complete nan Bears that saw him triumph nan NFC's Offensive Player of nan Week, Vikings backmost J.J. McCarthy suffered a precocious ankle sprain successful his team's Week 2 nonaccomplishment to nan Falcons.

The second-year player—who was selected pinch nan No. 10 prime successful nan 2024 NFL draft—has not played since nan wounded occurred and has since been ruled retired for Minnesota's Week 8 Thursday nighttime matchup against nan Chargers successful Los Angeles.

After McCarthy's ankle wounded was originally announced by Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, reports indicated that nan backmost could miss anyplace from two-to-four weeks, which would person put him—at nan latest—in statement to commencement successful their Week 7 crippled against nan Eagles.

Minnesota yet decided to support him retired of past weekend's contest—a 28–22 nonaccomplishment to Philly—and now, connected a short week, O'Connell explained that he besides will not play against Los Angeles.

"Wanted to springiness you guys, conscionable an update, earlier this greeting we did put J.J. McCarthy done an on-field workout conscionable to spot if he had a chance to make it this week," the coach explained connected Tuesday. "J.J., nan aesculapian staff, myself, we're each benignant of encouraged astir wherever he's astatine and nan advancement he's making, but he's conscionable not there."

O'Connell added that if nan squad was playing connected Sunday, possibly they could person pushed McCarthy passim nan week to beryllium ready. Instead, Carson Wentz will erstwhile again start, Max Brosmer will beryllium nan backup, and McCarthy will service arsenic nan team's emergency 3rd quarterback.

Kevin O'Connell told reporters connected Tuesday that J.J. McCarthy will miss Week 8 against nan Chargers. / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

"Encouraged by wherever he's astatine and very overmuch looking guardant to continuing his progression and hopefully having a chance to spell adjacent week," O'Connell added. "We'll support you guys posted connected that."

Prior to nan Vikings' Week 7 crippled against nan Eagles—and contrary to his first reporting—ESPN's Adam Schefter said connected Sunday NFL Countdown that McCarthy's sprained ankle, "was expected to beryllium a six-week injury."

"Nothing has changed," Schefter added successful a station connected X (formerly Twitter). "It still looks for illustration a six-week injury, which intends McCarthy would miss adjacent week [against nan Chargers], and perchance beryllium capable to return successful Week 9 astatine Detroit."

We'll spot if he yet suits up for Minnesota's in-division title against nan Lions adjacent Sunday. For now, Wentz will proceed to return nan reins for nan Vikings' offense.

How has Carson Wentz performed successful J.J. McCarthy's absence?

Carson Wentz has started for nan Vikings successful spot of J.J. McCarthy since Week 3. / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Wentz was signed by nan Vikings successful precocious August alongside their trade of backmost Sam Howell to nan Eagles. The 32-year-old journeyman was named nan backup to McCarthy heading into nan season, and has started successful his spot owed to nan ankle wounded opening successful Week 3.

Since taking over, Wentz has notched a respectable 2–2 record, putting Minnesota astatine 3–3 wide connected nan 2025 season. Statistically, he's completed 66.9% of his passes for 1,072 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions while passing nan 300+ gait people successful 2 of his 4 starts.

Last play against Philadelphia, however, Wentz threw 2 costly interceptions and posted a season-low 64.9 QBR, aiding successful their defeat.

While Vikings fans are apt clamoring for their second-year backmost to travel back, Wentz will still stay 1 measurement distant from playing clip and will request to beryllium ready—especially fixed McCarthy's wounded history.

J.J. McCarthy missed nan entirety of his rookie play pinch a knee injury. / Matt Marton-Imagn Images

This is already nan 2nd awesome wounded that McCarthy has had to woody pinch to statesman his NFL career. After being selected successful nan first information by nan Vikings successful April of 2024, nan scheme was for nan then-21-year-old to create and study down seasoned backmost Sam Darnold earlier taking complete arsenic nan starter erstwhile he was ready.

Unfortunately, successful Minnesota's first preseason crippled against nan Raiders past summer, McCarthy tore his meniscus and missed nan entirety of his rookie season. He ended up having multiple procedures connected his injured knee, and spent nan mostly of nan adjacent 12 months rehabbing.

McCarthy entered 2025 arsenic nan Vikings' clear trim starter, but aft his first and only 41 profession walk attempts successful Weeks 1 and 2, is now connected nan support erstwhile again.

While labeling him "injury prone" whitethorn beryllium premature, his McCarthy's readiness moving guardant is surely thing to watch arsenic his profession continues.

More NFL connected Sports Illustrated