Updating a previous report, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is expected to miss two to four weeks with a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in Sunday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Not only has McCarthy looked pretty bad in seven of the eight quarters he's played in the first two games of his NFL career, but now he's dealing with a multi-week injury. The good news is that when he's ready to return, he'll have receiver Jordan Addison back from suspension. Still, those expecting the 22-year-old former first-rounder to come in right away and play like Sam Darnold in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense have had a rude awakening. McCarthy deserves to be stashed in superflex and dynasty/keeper leagues, but in the meantime, veteran Carson Wentz could be a sneaky QB2 in two-QB leagues, beginning in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sep 15, 2025 3:35 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is dealing with an ankle injury and is likely to miss the Week 3 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. If McCarthy doesn't get cleared for Sunday, it would be veteran Carson Wentz making his Vikings debut. Officially, McCarthy is considered week-to-week with a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in Sunday night's 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. If it's indeed a high-ankle sprain, it wouldn't be a surprise if the 22-year-old former first-rounder missed multiple games. McCarthy looked bad for three quarters in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears before leading a fourth-quarter comeback, but it was all ugly on Sunday night against Atlanta, as he went 11-for-21 for 158 yards, no touchdowns, and two picks. He also fumbled three times, losing one. It's a reminder of McCarthy's steep learning curve after he missed all of his rookie season with a torn meniscus in his knee.
Sep 15, 2025 3:13 PM EST
Things may be going from bad to worse for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose struggling offensive line is now facing additional injuries headed into Week 3. Already playing without star left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee), who is working his way back from ACL surgery last year, backup left tackle Justin Skule (concussion) departed Sunday's game against Atlanta, as did starting center Ryan Kelly (concussion). The Vikings' offense has been brutal for most of the season, and McCarthy was pressured a whopping 16 times in the humbling defeat to the Falcons. Starting running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) also left the game, so Minnesota's injury report will be worth watching prior to their Week 3 game against Cincinnati.
Sep 15, 2025 11:08 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a high-end Superflex option as his team plays host to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. Following a brutal first half in the season-opener at Chicago, the Michigan product came alive in the second half, accounting for three fourth-quarter touchdowns and his first NFL win. Now playing behind a home crowd and facing a friendlier matchup from a fantasy perspective, McCarthy has a reasonable opportunity to improve on a lackluster Week 1 from a completions and yards perspective. Attached to a strong supporting cast, McCarthy should give managers some value at the Superflex spot.
Sep 12, 2025 5:33 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy went 13 of 20 for 143 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, leading his team to a 27-24 win against the Bears in his NFL debut. McCarthy looked overmatched early as the Vikings' stagnant run game left him facing frequent third-and-long situations. He had just 48 total yards at the half while taking two sacks, and then threw a pick-six early in the second half to put Minnesota down 17-6. McCarthy bounced back remarkably well after his costly mistake, delivering his best play in the fourth quarter when he accounted for all three of his touchdowns. The Vikings' run game picked up on the subsequent drive and set up McCarthy for 13-yard touchdown strike to Justin Jefferson. He later hit Aaron Jones for a 27-yard touchdown on a wheel route on a really well-placed ball between two defenders. Finally, he showed off his athleticism and impact as a runner with a 14-yard touchdown run on a read option to essentially ice the game. There will be plenty of growing pains for the 22-year-old signal caller, but he showed some positive signs in this game. McCarthy will be set to make his home debut next Sunday night against Atlanta.
Sep 9, 2025 12:25 AM EST
It has been a long wait, but quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a playable option in Superflex leagues with his Minnesota Vikings set to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The second-year quarterback missed his entire rookie season after sustaining a meniscus injury, but it's now his show in Minnesota after the Vikings parted ways with Sam Darnold in the offseason. He'll start with a road game against a strong Bears pass defense that allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL and ranked seventh in pressure percentage in 2024. With a rebuilt interior offensive line, capable veterans at all skill positions -- including All-Pro Justin Jefferson at receiver -- and a quarterback-friendly coach, McCarthy is still worthy of holding a QB2 spot in Week 1.
Sep 6, 2025 3:48 PM EST
Jeff Howe of The Athletic writes that the Minnesota Vikings' offense "has been scaled down with quarterback J.J. McCarthy taking over." Howe also notes that there's "measured optimism" in league circles around McCarthy's future, but that a "seamless transition" should not be expected. The 22-year-old is taking over for the departed Sam Darnold under center in Minnesota after Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record in 2024. McCarthy has drawn favorable reviews for his play in training camp and the preseason, but there's always a level of unknown for a player who has not seen the field in an actual NFL game. McCarthy profiles as a high-end QB2 in redraft fantasy leagues.
Aug 29, 2025 10:41 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has apparently made a good impression on his teammates. Recently, Viks running back Aaron Jones told Kay Adams that McCarthy's IQ is up there with Aaron Rodgers. This is noteworthy given the fact that Jones spent his first seven seasons in Green Bay alongside Rodgers. McCarthy didn't see the field at all last season while recovering from a knee injury. A year later, McCarthy is the unquestioned starter heading into Week 1. The 22-year-old has a big challenge ahead of him, but apparently is earning the respect of his teammates before taking any live game snaps.
Aug 20, 2025 9:41 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy had his "best practice of camp" on Thursday and impressed with both his consistency and accuracy, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Lewis notes that McCarthy had a stretch of practice where he completed 13 straight passes and threw for six touchdowns. The 22-year-old former first-round pick is preparing for his first year as an NFL starter after missing his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus in his knee. McCarthy will likely experience some growing pains, but he has a lot of playmaking talent around him in Minnesota and an excellent play-calling head coach in Kevin O'Connell. He profiles as a mid-tier QB2 in fantasy, but he's got more upside than some of the other quarterbacks being drafted in his range.
Aug 14, 2025 9:39 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that quarterback J.J. McCarthy will not play in the team's second preseason game on Saturday against the New England Patriots. Instead, Sam Howell will get the start. In the preseason opener last week against the Houston Texans, McCarthy went 4-for-7 for 30 yards and rushed one time for eight yards in his only drive of the game. The 22-year-old missed his entire rookie season in 2024 due to a torn meniscus in his knee, but he enters 2025 as Minnesota's unquestioned starter under center. The former Michigan signal-caller has plenty of upside with Justin Jefferson (hamtring) and Jordan Addison (suspension) as his top two receivers, but Jefferson has been nursing a hamstring injury all summer, and Addison will miss the first three games. At best, McCarthy will be a midrange QB2 in fantasy.
Aug 14, 2025 6:26 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy finished 4-for-7 passing for 30 yards and added an 8-yard run for a first down Saturday in a 20-10 win against Houston. The second-year quarterback led the Vikings to a field goal on the opening drive before giving way to backup Sam Howell. McCarthy is now the clear top option in Minnesota, but he's effectively a rookie in terms of playing time after missing the entire 2024 regular season with a meniscus injury. From a fantasy perspective, McCarthy figures to be a high-upside QB2 flier alongside proven skill players and revamped offensive line in Minnesota.
Aug 10, 2025 9:31 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that the plan is to play quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the team's preseason opener this Saturday against the Houston Texans. McCarthy isn't your ordinary NFL starting QB going into a new season. The 22-year-old former first-rounder from Michigan missed all of his rookie season in 2024 due a torn meniscus in his knee that required surgery. He is heading into 2025 without a single game started in the NFL, so the more experience he can get in game situations, the better. Still, he probably won't play all that much this weekend and could be held out of the second preseason game next week. McCarthy has perhaps the best 1-2 receiver duo in the league in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but we have yet to see him in a starting role. There are going to be growing pains, making him more of a QB2 with upside in fantasy.
Aug 4, 2025 7:04 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has reportedly looked impressive early in training camp. The second-year quarterback missed all of last season due to a knee injury. Now, McCarthy has been given the keys to the castle with Sam Darnold no longer in Minnesota. This is certainly a ton of pressure considering the Vikings have a ready-to-win roster. McCarthy has stepped up to the challenge and is making good throws in practice. According to Alec Lewis, McCarthy connected with wide receiver Jordan Addison in the middle of the field on a nice throw and received a high five from head coach Kevin O'Connell. The hype train for McCarthy might be picking up steam.
Aug 3, 2025 8:36 AM EST
There are plenty of question marks surrounding Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick last year, after he missed his rookie season in 2024 with a torn right meniscus in his knee. However, ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that McCarthy's arm strength has been fine after it was a topic of discussion going into the 2024 draft. "He definitely has an arm," receiver Justin Jefferson said. "That's for sure. He can definitely zip it whenever he needs to." His arm has looked especially lively on throws down the middle of the field, and McCarthy is starting to learn to vary his throws after Jefferson noted last summer that the rookie tended to throw every ball the same way -- hard and straight. With no threats to the starting job under center, the 22-year-old is Minnesota's clear starting QB going into 2025 and has some of the best weapons in the league. He's a QB2 with upside in fantasy.
Jun 17, 2025 12:07 PM EST
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) looked "a lot stronger" in the ninth day of offseason workouts compared to the beginning. "They like the way he's throwing the ball," said Fowler. "They feel very comfortable with where he's at going into training camp." The 22-year-old suffered a meniscus tear last summer, preventing him from suiting up for his rookie campaign. Fortunately, it appears that the injury is behind him. With receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at McCarthy's disposal, he should have some quality showings this season. Naturally, there could be some growing pains. Still, the young signal-caller definitely has a higher ceiling than most around his age, making him a perfect addition to any dynasty roster. His redraft outlook might also improve, assuming he continues to impress in the next few months.
Jun 15, 2025 11:08 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) said on Monday that he was fully cleared to participate in mandatory minicamp via a physical that the team gave all of their players this week. ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that McCarthy's surgically-repaired knee was cleared long ago for on-field work. A meniscus tear that the 22-year-old former first-rounder suffered last summer kept him sidelined for his entire rookie season in 2024, in which he saw Sam Darnold lead the team into the playoffs. He resumed on-field work back in January and hasn't had any limitations at all as he enters what will actually be his rookie year in 2025. With no real competition at the position with Darnold gone, McCarthy is the unquestioned starter heading into the season and one of the best WR duos in the league in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. He's a low-end QB2 with enticing upside in fantasy.
Jun 12, 2025 6:18 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell didn't really acknowledge whether former first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) will face competition for the starting job in 2025. "J.J. is going to be in a great position to assume and ascend in our organization," O'Connell said on The Rich Eisen Show. "But right now, we really don't have any feelings on competition as much as we've got an obligation as coaches to put our players in position to attack that competition phase." Sam Howell and Brett Rypien are the other options in the QB room. O'Connell did say that McCarthy is "owning it" this offseason and will get plenty of reps with the starters. The 22-year-old missed his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee, but he's fully expected to be ready for the start of 2025. O'Connell said he's seen a difference in McCarthy's footwork, rhythm, timing and cadence from a year ago. The Vikes like him a lot, so he's expected to be the starter in Week 1, where he'll be a low-end QB2 in fantasy with upside.
May 7, 2025 9:26 PM EST
There have been questions surrounding whether or not Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) was prepared to start in 2025, but the 2024 first-round pick out of Michigan has no doubts, saying, "I know I'm ready to start." The 22-year-old missed his entire rookie campaign after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee, setting veteran Sam Darnold up as the clear starter all season. The Vikings traded for former Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell during the 2025 NFL Draft, but the team has not invested in other notable quarterbacks this offseason. That said, McCarthy is the clear favorite to earn the starting nod. While McCarthy will likely see growing pains in his first year, a supporting cast consisting of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones should give him a chance to succeed. That said, he might not be on the fantasy radar in single-QB formats this season.
Apr 29, 2025 3:17 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Monday that quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) is "full" with "no limitations" during the team's voluntary offseason program. McCarthy suffered a meniscus tear in his knee in the preseason last year that required surgery and caused him to miss his entire rookie campaign after being taken in the first round (10th overall) in 2024. But now that both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones left in free agency, the 22-year-old signal-caller will be given the starting reigns in 2025. Minnesota could revisit signing Aaron Rodgers later this offseason if they aren't happy with McCarthy's progress, but that's probably unlikely. McCarthy will have one of the best receiver duos in the league with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but fantasy managers should still expect ups and downs in his first full season as the starter. Those holding McCarthy in dynasty leagues have to be pleased with how this offseason has played out.
Apr 21, 2025 6:58 PM EST
Naming quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) as the Minnesota Vikings' starting quarterback is "the outcome we want" and "the outcome we're headed towards," general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said on Wednesday. However, the GM also refused to rule out the possibility of revisiting talks with free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers later this offseason if he's still available. McCarthy and Brett Rypien are the only QBs currently on the Vikings roster after both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones left in free agency. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in 2024, missed all of his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee suffered in the preseason. However, he's been cleared for offseason activities and is working to regain weight after losing more than 20 pounds. McCarthy said he hasn't been told he's the starter, but barring something unexpected, he should be under center for the Vikes in Week 1 this fall.
Mar 27, 2025 1:39 PM EST
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