NFL Network Drops Awkward J.J. McCarthy Injury Update
The Minnesota Vikings’ bye has concluded, and it’s back to work for Kevin O’Connell’s team this week. It’s just that the general public is unsure who will play quarterback this weekend.
J.J. McCarthy has missed the Vikings’ last three games with a high ankle sprain, and NFL Network provided an awkward update over the weekend.
QB1 J.J. McCarthy is recovering from a high ankle sprain, and although McCarthy is close to returning, his availability for Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles remains up in the air, especially after a bittersweet update from NFL Network
A ‘Murky’ Injury Update for J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy may play in Week 7. He may sit out again.
J.J. McCarthy Worked Out Last Week … But May Not Be 100%
All attention will turn — as early as Monday — to McCarthy’s injury status, with the Eagles coming to town in six days. Thanks to Tom Pelissero, there’s a McCarthy update, albeit sweet and salty.
He said Sunday, “The Vikings quarterback situation is murky, to say the least. J.J. McCarthy, I’m told, got good work during the bye week. He should be able to return to practice this week, but McCarthy still is not 100% on that ankle. They’ve got to see his mobility, they’ve got to see how the ankle responds.
“And they gotta make sure he is comfortable and in a groove, from an operational perspective, before they put him back out on the field. Meanwhile, his backup, Carson Wentz, is dealing with a left shoulder injury and could be limited in practice this week. A lot to sort through, to figure out who’s going to be on the field next week against the Eagles.”
The verdict? McCarthy is gradually trending in the right direction, but his Week 7 status is not ironclad.
Vikings’ Season Nears Critical Point
So far in 2025, Minnesota has rattled off three wins in five attempts, facing a rather “easy” schedule compared to its NFL peers. Per ESPN’s FPI index, the Vikings have played the league’s fourth-easiest schedule through five games.
Now, the rubber hits the road.
Minnesota will battle the very toughest slate of opponents, according to the same FPI metric. No team has a harder schedule from here on out. So, yes, Kevin O’Connell will embark on a murderer’s row with quarterback uncertainty. He likely must finish 7-5 in the last 12 games to reach the playoffs, so nominating a quarterback plan sooner rather than later is preferred.
The Vikings must also get McCarthy’s development back on track. The NFL has played out 22 games with McCarthy in the league, and he’s missed 20 due to injury. It’s go-time for McCarthy, or the injury-bust-related chatter won’t cease.
Carson Wentz Hurt, Too
Even more awkward is the circumstance that Wentz, the starting quarterback from the last three weeks, is hobbled as well.
Wentz hurt his left shoulder in London against the Cleveland Browns, gutting out the game’s remainder to the tune of a dub across the pond. O’Connell said a few days later that Wentz was “pretty sore,” which likely translates to sore as hell.
Pelissero mentioned a “limited” projection for Wentz at practice in Eagan this week, setting the stage for two gimpy quarterbacks in the mix for Week 7.
So … The Max Brosmer Angle?
The result of Pelissero’s comments is what Max Brosmer might call a gutshot straight draw.
Brosmer has not started a game in the NFL, but he has seen limited action in Week 3 and Week 5. If one assumes that Minnesota won’t toss McCarthy on the field until his ankle is 100% and that Wentz’s shoulder is too banged up for comfort, it could be Brosmer time versus the Eagles.
That theory is a longshot, but it must be noted.
Brosmer played wonderfully in the preseason, surprising fans to the utmost because undrafted rookies don’t usually show such poise so immediately — or at all.
Janik Eckardt on the Vikings’ QB Situation
Our Janik Eckardt opined on the Week 7 quarterback matter on Sunday, “The third and only other quarterback on the roster is rookie Max Brosmer. He has a quarter worth of garbage time snaps against the Bengals and a kneel down against the Browns in his NFL resume. In McCarthy’s absence, Wentz has completed 69 of 100 passes for 759 yards, five touchdowns and two picks.”
“His contributions weren’t crucial in the blowout win in Week 3. A week later, he dropped 350 yards against the Steelers, but his tendency to run into trouble (a problem he shares with McCarthy) didn’t help the team whatsoever. His game-winning drive fell short. Last week, Wentz completed such an attempt, when he found Jordan Addison for six points with under a minute to go.”
The team’s practice regimen and injury report, starting Wednesday, will provide the best Week 7 clues.
Eckardt added, “Overall, his play has been that of a capable backup in a simplified offense. It shouldn’t be forgotten that Wentz arrived in the Twin Cities after the preseason, a couple of weeks prior to the season opener. Wentz has been a solid alternate, but is that enough to unseat the QB1?”
“All the reports indicate that McCarthy re-enters the starting lineup once he’s healthy. His practice status on Wednesday will provide some more clarity whether that will be the case in Week 7 when the defending Super Bowl champions come to town.”
The Vikings are 2.5-point underdogs against Philadelphia this week.
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