The Minnesota Vikings might be with out quarterback J.J. McCarthy for 2 to 4 weeks with an ankle harm, forcing them to show to veteran Carson Wentz.
McCarthy, the Vikings’ first-round decide in 2024, has been recognized with a excessive ankle sprain, which he suffered in a disappointing efficiency in Minnesota’s 22-6 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
After scoring three touchdowns within the fourth quarter to guide the Vikings to a comeback in Week 1 towards the Chicago Bears, McCarthy endured a nightmare in primetime towards the Falcons. He completed 11 of 21 for 158 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked six occasions and fumbled thrice, one in all which was recovered by Atlanta.
McCarthy missed his whole rookie season with a torn meniscus and, after a chastening residence debut, head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed disappointment his quarterback won’t get to study from his first defeat.
“It’s crushing,” O’Connell mentioned on Monday. “Since you simply need it to be a day by day technique of activating each side of the event and studying.”
Wentz will now take over, with the second total decide within the 2016 draft set to start out for a sixth staff in as many seasons.
The Vikings solely signed Wentz on August 24, however O’Connell was impressed with the veteran in apply final week when he needed to step in for McCarthy, whose fiancee gave start to their first baby final Thursday.
“He [Wentz] was actually spectacular final week,” O’Connell mentioned. “Form of stepping in, you felt the higher presence within the command.
“He’s actually sensible, a man that’s performed a number of soccer and he’s been in a position to get himself to a spot the place he’s felt very snug these previous two weeks had he wanted to go within the soccer recreation. And now he’ll get per week of preparation to get able to go play.”
The Vikings host the Cincinnati Bengals, whose beginning quarterback Joe Burrow is out for 3 months with turf toe, on Sunday earlier than video games towards the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns in Dublin and London respectively.
With a bye in Week 6, McCarthy may return to motion in Week 7 towards the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles if the harm does certainly preserve him out 4 weeks.
