It is unlikely that the Vikings JJ McCarthy’s quarterrier is playing this week due to an ankle sprain, said head coach Kevin O’Connell on Monday.
The current backup Carson Wentz should be the starter against the backup of Bengals Jake Browning, who is acting again for the injured Starter Joe Burrow. Burrow will undergo surgery to repair an injury to the toe after leaving Sunday’s victory over the Jaguars.
McCarthy suffered the injury on a broken game that ended with a tackle near the key line. McCarthy missed all the 2024 season after having torn his meniscus in a pre-season match, which required surgery.
Appointed the attacking player of the NFC week after his performance during his first departure in week 1, McCarthy showed mixed results. He fought on Sunday evening against the Falcons, going 11 out of 21 with 158 yards and two interceptions. He could not lead Minnesota to a touchdown and he was dismissed six times.
“We have to do a better job as an offensive playing a game at a time and everyone does their job, every 11,” said McCarthy on Sunday evening. “We are going to learn from that, get better and bounce back next week.”
The Vikings will also be without running Aaron Jones (hamstrings). The departure center Ryan Kelly and the left platform Justin Skule are still in a concussion protocol. Skule started the first two games while the Vikings play safely with Christian Darrisaw, who works to return from a tear of the LCA at the end of the season in 2024.
– field level media
