Vikings Receive Extremely Concerning JJ McCarthy Report

The Minnesota Vikings, holding a 3-3 record, relied on experienced quarterback Carson Wentz to face the 4-3 Los Angeles Chargers at California’s SoFi Stadium on Thursday Night Football.

Wentz has taken the helm for Minnesota’s past four contests while second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy recovers from an ankle issue sustained in Week 2 versus the Atlanta Falcons. Despite dealing with his own shoulder problem, the Vikings had faith in the 32-year-old signal-caller to guide the offense against the Chargers’ ascending defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter.

According to Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated, a key factor in designating Wentz as the starter and rookie Max Brosmer as the reserve for Week 8 stems from concerns over McCarthy’s growth. The team fears that its 2024 first-round selection might suffer a blow to his self-assurance if the injury hampers his full capabilities in the matchup with Los Angeles.

Minnesota intends to reinstate McCarthy as the starter for their away game against the Detroit Lions in Week 9.

“Assuming he is prepared, the plan is to start him,” Breer wrote. “And the hope is that, by waiting, they’ll get a quarterback going out there with a head of steam and, more important, filled with confidence.”

“If McCarthy were 50 or 100 starts into his NFL career, the Vikings might’ve decided the best course would be to have him hobbling around out there against a Chargers team that’s raring to break loose of the 1–3 rut it’s in. As it is, the chance he goes out there and aggravates the injury, and loses confidence, makes the idea of McCarthy playing not worth it.”

McCarthy sat out his entire initial NFL year due to a torn meniscus in his right knee from preseason action. The ex-Michigan star accumulated 301 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three picks across his opening two appearances this year, while contributing 50 rushing yards and one score on the ground.

As the Vikings grant McCarthy additional recovery time to return at full strength in Week 9, the pressure will mount for the quarterback in the clash with Detroit. Breer indicated that Minnesota would pull McCarthy without hesitation should his performance falter.

“The other end of that deal, of course, is that the attached expectation will be that McCarthy does play well when he returns,” Breer wrote. “In other words, he’s able to summon what he did in the fourth quarter in Chicago in Week 1, and make the three or four plays that result in a win, rather than a loss.”

“If he doesn’t, then the Vikings have Carson Wentz ready. It’s also why they tried to bring Darnold and Jones back; those guys left because they found opportunities to be long-term starting quarterbacks. Minnesota wants to give McCarthy plenty of runway to prove himself when he returns to the lineup, presumably next week. But he won’t have an endless rope to get it right.”

Observers will watch closely to determine the length of McCarthy’s margin for error upon his comeback. With no games in 2024, this campaign effectively serves as his debut season for the 22-year-old passer.

Beyond McCarthy’s progress, the Vikings harbor broader anxieties this year. The franchise aims to secure a playoff berth once more, and that goal becomes unattainable if their quarterback manages only six points, as McCarthy did in the Atlanta game.