J.J. McCarthy's injured ankle is "getting there," the Minnesota Vikings second-year quarterback said Wednesday.
While McCarthy's ankle continues to progress, Carson Wentz will continue to start when he faces his first NFL squad, the Philadelphia Eagles, in the Vikings' Week 7 game on Sunday.
McCarthy will serve as the emergency third QB on Sunday, coach Kevin O'Connell announced. The second-year signal-caller, who was limited in practice and admitted earlier this week the ankle is not fully healed, is officially questionable to play. Max Brosmer will be Wentz's backup.
McCarthy was selected with the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft by Minnesota, whereas Wentz was the No. 2 choice in the 2016 draft. On Sunday, Wentz will start against the Eagles for second time.
After five years in Philly, Wentz moved on to play for the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs and now the Vikings.
In 2022 with Washington, Wentz started in a 24-8 Week 3 loss, completing 25 of 43 passes for 211 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Wentz will start his fourth straight game filling in for McCarthy. He's thrown for 759 yards (69 of 100 completions), five touchdowns and two interceptions, piloting a 2-1 run.
The Vikings defeated the Cleveland Browns, 21-17, in Week 5 in London with Wentz throwing a game-winning, fourth-quarter TD to Jordan Addison.
Just how long Wentz holds the reins remains to be seen. Just how long McCarthy needs to get fully healthy is an unknown, not to mention the young QB was struggling before he was injured in Week 2.
For now, Wentz is back up as he leads his new squad, the Vikings (3-2), against his old squad, the Eagles (4-2), on Sunday.
