The Minnesota Vikings will likely 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 choose in 2024, has been identified 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 instances and fumbled 3 times, one among which was recovered by Atlanta.
McCarthy missed his complete rookie season with a torn meniscus and, after a chastening dwelling debut, head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed disappointment his quarterback won’t get to be taught from his first defeat.
“It’s crushing,” O’Connell mentioned on Monday. “Since you simply need it to be a each day technique of activating each facet of the event and studying.”
Wentz will now take over, with the second general choose within the 2016 draft set to start out for a sixth crew 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 beginning 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 lots 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 sport. And now he’ll get every 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.