The Minnesota Vikings headed into a matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals without QB J.J. McCarthy in the lineup, which raised questions about whether he would join the team for its two-week jaunt to Europe for back-to-back games overseas in Weeks 4 and 5.
If McCarthy were to remain behind, it would mean that the ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons is serious enough that there is no chance of the second-year signal-caller getting back on the field before Week 6.
However, the team let NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN know on Sunday, September 21, that McCarthy will join his teammates in the United Kingdom, which means he could be back in the role of QB1 before Minnesota returns to the United States.
“After today, Minnesota will become the first NFL team to play two straight international games in two different countries, next Sunday against the Steelers in Dublin, and the following Sunday against the Browns in London,” Schefter reported via X. “Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy, who is battling a high ankle sprain expected to sideline him for the next two to four weeks, will make the overseas trip.”
J.J. McCarthy’s Health Trending Upward
Schefter’s report is the latest in a string of good news regarding McCarthy’s health.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with media members on Friday and offered a positive update on the quarterback’s ankle injury.
“He was able to be out at practice and stand right next to me as I’m calling the plays into Carson [Wentz]. And that’s the best development and dialogue in this particular short-term that he’s gonna be able to have,” O’Connell said. “[He’s] handling his responsibilities from a rehab standpoint, so we’re kinda through the initial wave of that, getting the swelling down and those things.”
O’Connell added that he believed McCarthy was out of his walking boot in normal, everyday situations despite wearing it on the practice field Friday.
“I know he was in [a walking boot] on the practice field just as a precautionary thing,” O’Connell explained. “I believe [he’s out of the boot], whether it’s in the building or walking around the locker room.”
J.J. McCarthy Has Mostly Struggled Across First 2 NFL Starts
McCarthy was not great in his first two starts, save for a magnificent fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in the season opener, in which he accounted for two touchdowns through the air and one on the ground.
However, those are the only three touchdowns to McCarthy’s credit in 2025 and the only three the offense scored through the first two games. The Vikings put up just 12 points across their seven other quarters of play.
McCarthy is 24-of-41 for 301 yards, two TDs and three INTs with a 1-1 record. Part of the problem has been a rash of injuries across the offensive line, including those that kept left tackle Christian Darrisaw out for both games McCarthy started and saw center Ryan Kelly leave Week 2 against the Falcons with a concussion.
But injury circumstances aside, the 22-year-old McCarthy needs to get snaps to develop, as his development is crucial to Minnesota’s longterm plans under center after letting Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones depart in free agency for starting jobs elsewhere.
The Vikings defense remains one of the toughest in the league, and they also have playmakers all over the field on offense. Quarterback is the missing piece, and Minnesota wants McCarthy to be the answer, though it will have to be Wentz for at least Week 3.
