The Minnesota Vikings are trying to kill two bird with one stone and develop young quarterback J.J. McCarthy while simultaneously staying competitive enough to make a deep playoff run.
Unfortunately, McCarthy was only available for Minnesota’s first two games of the season, as he suffered a high ankle sprain in his second start. Carson Wentz has started in McCarthy’s place.
There was hope in McCarthy being cleared in time to play this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles, but it doesn’t seem as if he’ll see the field unless things get extremely dicey for Minnesota, according to one prominent league insider.
“With J.J. McCarthy still recovering from his high ankle sprain, the Vikings once again will start QB Carson Wentz, who spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with Philadelphia,” [ESPN’s Senior NFL insider Adam Schefter reported.](https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1979265125212393609)
Schefter then followed up with what McCarthy’s role will be on gameday.
“Vikings QB Max Brosmer will serve as the backup for Carson Wentz against the Eagles and J.J. McCarthy will be the emergency 3rd QB.”
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Another first round pick getting benched prior to the halfway mark of their first playing season. How do NFL teams continue to mess this process up?” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“High ankle sprain…like the one Mahomes played on in the AFC championship a week after ‘hurting it’? I hate the CHEATS, I meant Chiefs,” one fan added.
“Smart move, keeps the depth chart steady while McCarthy develops,” another fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see when McCarthy returns.