...
By Matt Audilet
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
When the Minnesota Vikings take the field for a Week 7 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night, quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss his fifth consecutive game since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2.
On Tuesday, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced veteran QB Carson Wentz as the team's starter in Week 7. Undrafted rookie signal caller Max Brosmer will serve as Wentz's backup, with McCarthy listed as the team's emergency third-string option.
"I'm encouraged about where [McCarthy] is at," O'Connell said during his midweek press conference. "Very much looking forward to continuing his progression and hopefully having a chance to go next week."
Read More on NFL
Former NFL team doctor and popular social media medical analyst David J. Chao — aka "ProFootballDoc" — believes this decision is less about McCarthy's injury severity and more about the team's distrust in him as a starting quarterback option.
"Proof positive that #JJMcCarthy is healthy enough to play," Chao wrote on X. "Not saying he is 100% but no way HC @Vikings would make him emergency QB for 2nd straight week otherwise. All I am saying is @Chiefs QB won a #SuperBowl playing thru high ankle sprain and right now JJ is not @PatrickMahomes which makes this a 'coaching decision.'"
More Football: Browns Pushed to Aggressively Pursue Star WR Before NFL Trade Deadline
The Vikings opened up the season 1-1 with McCarthy under center. Through his first two NFL appearances, the former Michigan QB completed 58.5% of his pass attempts for 301 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 50 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
Wentz has been up-and-down as the Vikings' starting QB since taking over for McCarthy. Minnesota is 2-2 with their veteran signal-caller at the helm.
Wentz has completed 66.9% of his pass attempts for 1,072 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.
...
More Football: Travis Kelce Sends NFL Stern Warning After Chiefs’ Win Over Raiders
Thursday night's primetime matchup against the Chargers will kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET.
McCarthy's next opportunity to return as the Vikings' starter is a Week 8 matchup against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 2.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines