J.J. McCarthy will miss the Vikings’ preseason finale tonight against the Broncos in Denver, and it’s not looking good for his future in Minnesota. Beat writer Alec Lewis confirmed the news, reporting that while the team hoped McCarthy’s ankle would heal, the young quarterback was simply “not comfortable enough to go.”
Ankle Injury Keeps McCarthy Sidelined, Fuels Uncertainty
McCarthy’s ankle injury, sustained in the Vikings’ preseason loss to the Ravens just last Saturday, might be labeled as minor and day-to-day, but it’s a huge blow at the worst possible time. He had been splitting backup reps with Carson Wentz in practice, and the team even held him out of Wednesday’s practice, trying to give that ankle every chance to heal. The fact that he’s still not “comfortable enough” to play in the final preseason game screams trouble, especially with questions swirling about whether the training staff had any real say in his availability. It feels like every snap right now is critical, and McCarthy’s just not getting them.
Backup Battle Heats Up Without McCarthy on the Field
Remember when McCarthy lost the starting job to Kyler Murray earlier in training camp? His shaky performances throughout camp and the preseason had everyone talking about a direct battle with Carson Wentz for the backup gig. Head coach Kevin O’Connell tried to keep the door open on the backup job, saying the coaching staff would assess options and make the best decision for the team. But Lewis, who’s been all over this, practically declared on a podcast this week that Wentz is “definitely going to be the backup.” McCarthy missing this crucial last preseason game only strengthens that speculation. It feels like the writing’s on the wall here.
Trade Whispers Grow Louder for Former No. 10 Pick
This whole situation absolutely ramps up the trade speculation surrounding McCarthy. We’re talking about a guy the Vikings drafted with the No. 10 overall pick fewer than three seasons ago, and now he’s lost the starting job and likely the backup job too. It’s a brutal fall from grace and makes you wonder how long he’ll even be wearing a Vikings jersey. With Minnesota opening their season against Green Bay in a couple of weeks, the clock is ticking, and it looks like Carson Wentz is going to be Kyler Murray’s primary backup, while McCarthy’s future hangs completely in the balance. It’s wild how fast things can change, isn’t it?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply