JJ McCarthy injury update: Carson Wentz to make fourth straight start in Vikings vs. Eagles

Minnesota Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy will remain sidelined this weekend. Veteran Carson Wentz is set to make another start when the Vikings take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday that head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed the news: “Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell announces that QB Carson Wentz will start vs. the Eagles. Revenge game for Wentz,” Rapoport posted on X. “J.J. McCarthy is still recovering from a high-ankle sprain and will be the emergency third QB.”

McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, suffered the injury earlier this season and continues to work his way back toward full strength. The sophomore quarterback told reporters on earlier this week that his recovery has been steady.

“The way it felt, it’s kind of uncertain. I’ve never felt a high ankle before,” McCarthy explained. “I’ve had low ankles. But just based off of what a lot of well-respected second opinions have said, they said it’s four to six, two to six, all this stuff. So, I feel like it was going to be in that range. And we’re still in that range, and it’s unfortunate, and they’re really annoying injuries. But yeah, we’re just continuing to work to get to 100% as quick as possible.”

McCarthy added that he’s making progress daily, even if he’s not fully ready to return at the moment: “The ankle is getting there. I wouldn’t say it’s 100% right now, but we’re striving every day to get there as fast as possible. … I just try to stay moment by moment. But I trust that they’re going to do the best thing possible for this team and for the longevity of my career.”

Before the injury, McCarthy completed 58.5% of his passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Wentz, meanwhile, has stepped in and performed solidly in relief, throwing for 759 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions across three starts.

Sunday’s matchup will carry extra meaning for Wentz, who faces the team that drafted him No. 2 overall in 2016. It will mark his first start against Philadelphia since 2022, and he’ll look to keep Minnesota’s offense rolling while McCarthy continues to recover.

Kickoff between the Vikings (3-2) and Eagles (4-2) is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on FOX. If Wentz can defeat his former team, McCarthy could waltz into a fantastic situation for the remainder of the 2025 season.