Vikings' Rookie QB McCarthy Sidelined for Weeks with Ankle Sprain

As of October 19th, 2025, Minnesota Vikings' rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is sidelined for the next few weeks due to a high-ankle sprain he sustained in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has missed the Vikings' last three games as he recovers from the injury.

In McCarthy's absence, veteran quarterback Carson Wentz has been leading the Vikings' offense. Wentz, who was the 2nd overall pick in the 2016 draft, has thrown for 759 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions with a 69% completion rate over the past three games.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has expressed optimism about McCarthy's recovery, stating that the young QB is "getting there" and has been ramping up his rehabilitation work. The initial prognosis was for McCarthy to miss around 6 weeks, meaning he is unlikely to return for the team's upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Vikings are hopeful that McCarthy will be back on the field in Week 8 when they take on the Detroit Lions.

"The big thing is just getting him back on the grass, in uniform, practicing, getting real live reps of a pass rush and taking drops and applying some of the things that he's worked really hard on as of late, as he's kind of gotten to that phase of his rehab," O'Connell said this week.