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Why J.J. McCarthy is Not Playing in Vikings-Bengals Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Sep 21, 2025 11:50 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings entered Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals at 1-1, coming off a 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears and a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. But as they look to pick up their second victory, they’ll be without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy, a second-year pro, missed his entire rookie season after tearing a meniscus in a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Now the 22-year-old is sidelined again, this time with a high right ankle sprain suffered against Atlanta.

The injury happened late in the third quarter as McCarthy was scrambling near the sideline. The 2024 No. 10 overall pick remained in the game and finished it completing 11 of 21 passes for 158 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

When Will McCarthy Return to Action?

The Vikings expect McCarthy to miss two to four weeks, putting both of Minnesota’s upcoming overseas games in Dublin and London in doubt.

Backup Carson Wentz will start in McCarthy’s place. The 32-year-old veteran was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and spent his first six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before one-year stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. He will become the first quarterback in league history to start a game for six different teams in six consecutive seasons.

The Vikings host the Bengals at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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