Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters in his Monday press conference that J.J. McCarthy is unlikely to play in Week 3 against the Bengals due to an ankle sprain. “J.J. McCarthy did come in very, very sore today with the ankle sprain.

The veteran quarterback, signed just before the season started, will likely start for the Vikings against the Cincinnati Bengals

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the next game with a sprained ankle, according to coach Kevin O’Connell. KSTP Sports can confirm that McCarthy is battling a high ankle sprain, with an expected timetable of 2-4 weeks for a return to action.

Wentz, the second-overall pick from the 2016 draft, was signed by the Vikings on Aug. 24 to become McCarthy's backup. He finished third in MVP voting in 2017 with the Philadelphia Eagles, but has only started nine games since 2022 and has now been on five different teams in as many years.

The Minnesota Vikings will start a different quarterback in Week 3. J.J. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain during their Week 2 loss against the Atlanta Falcons, and he's set to miss a few weeks.

But Wentz has played well in the past, and he steps into a situation that was a career changer for Sam Darnold. It's not out of the question that Wentz plays well as long as McCarthy is out. Wentz has the benefit of facing the Bengals defense in his first start, which helps.

Carson Wentz finally gets to throw to Justin Jefferson five years and five teams later. J.J. McCarthy’s ankle injury opens the door for the Wentz-to-Jefferson combination that Philadelphia Eagles fans desperately wanted to see in 2020.

The Vikings QB and Michigan alum might not play in Week 3 vs. the Bengals, putting Carson Wentz in line to start.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy's second year to develop is in limbo and hinges on how Carson Wentz performs with McCarthy injured.