J.J. McCarthy Injury Update: When Will QB Return to Vikings?

The Minnesota Vikings have been without their starting quarterback since Week 2. J.J. McCarthy continues to nurse a high ankle sprain, and Minnesota has been decidedly medicore with Carson Wentz under center. Vikings fans have been asking when McCarthy will be back under center. Below, we will look at projected return dates for the 22-year-old signal-caller and also take a glance at Vikings betting odds.

🏥 When will J.J. McCarthy return and be back with Vikings?

McCarthy was back at Vikings practice last week but in a “limited” capacity. He was questionable heading into this past Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but was ultimately ruled out.

Wentz started the game for the Vikings and struggled, as he got picked off twice in his own territory. He finished the day 26-of-42 for 313 yards and 0 TDs, with an ugly passer rating of 64.9.

Had Wentz performed well against the Eagles this past Sunday, he likely would have been a lock to start this Thursday night against the LA Chargers. Now, it is at least a possibility that McCarthy may be thrust back into the role.

All told, McCarthy will almost certainly return in one of the next two games for the Vikings.

• Week 8 - Thursday, Oct. 23: Minnesota Vikings at LA Chargers
• Week 9 - Sunday, Nov. 2: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

❓ Will J.J. McCarthy play Thursday night against the Chargers?

Expect Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell to announce the Vikings Thursday night starter at QB on either Tuesday or Wednesday. 

NFL players typically return from high ankle sprains in 2-6 weeks. McCarthy’s recovery timeline has always been on the longer side. 

He has been out of action for five weeks and one day, so far.

McCarthy said last week that he wasn’t yet 100 percent, and the Vikings have insisted that they will not put him back on the field until he is fully healed. 

ESPN’s Adam Schefter added on Sunday morning, prior to the Vikings game agianst Philly, that it was “unlikely” that McCarthy would play against the Chargers on Thursday night.

🏈 J.J. McCarthy fantasy football outlook

McCarthy was a late round pick in many 12-team PPR fantasy leagues, typically going around the 13th or 14th round. 

He is now owned in just 26% of Yahoo! fantasy football leagues.

McCarthy is still very much an unknown commodity, having played in just two NFL games after being drafted 10th overall in 2024.

In his pro debut in Week 1 of this season against the Chicago Bears, McCarthy completed 13-of-20 pass attempts for 143 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also ran for 25 yards on two carries and found the end zone with his legs.

Against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, the game in which he injured his ankle, McCarthy was 11-of-21 for 158 yards. He threw zero TDs and was picked off twice.

🟣 Vikings betting odds

Super Bowl odds show the Minnesota Vikings with a current price of +6500. Minnesota opened the season with +4000 odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

The Vikings' win total projection is currently at 7.5 wins with juice on the Over. 

They are +1600, at the best NFL betting sites, to win the highly competitive NFC North.