JJ McCarthy Set to Miss Time Due to Ankle Sprain Has Fans Questioning Reality – “More Like Benched for 2-to-4 Weeks”

After a stellar 4th Qtr performance in game 1, JJ McCarthy was back to his struggles in a game 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

JJ McCarthy Set to Miss Time Due to Ankle Sprain Has Fans Questioning Reality – “More Like Benched for 2-to-4 Weeks”

JJ McCarthy set to miss time due to sprained ankle (Image via Ari Meirov/X)

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When the Minnesota Vikings decided to let Sam Darnold and his backup, Daniel Jones, walk, it became evident that they were completely sold on rookie QB JJ McCarthy.

Many questioned whether they were right to place that much pressure on someone who thrived in Jim Harbaugh‘s system in Michigan. However, news from the camp suggested their decision may have been right.

In the first half of their season-opener, those questions came back to haunt them as the 22-year-old struggled mightily in the first three quarters, leading the Vikings to just two field goals despite attempting 9 drives.

In the fourth quarter, he seemed to redeem himself as McCarthy torched the Chicago Bears for three straight touchdowns to take the lead back and win the game.

Vikings fans felt they had their quarterback of the future until he returned to US Bank Stadium to take on the visiting Atlanta Falcons. His total yards thrown were better than his first game.

However, what mattered more was the part that did not necessarily show up on the stat sheet. Other than the 6 sacks, 2 interceptions, and otherwise disastrous game reads, fans wondered if JJ McCarthy was capable of leading an NFL offense.

To make matters worse, head coach Kevin O’Connell reported earlier that his young QB had suffered an ankle sprain and would definitely miss their next game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Later news revealed that the ankle sprain was deemed serious enough to sideline him for 2 to 4 weeks. If he were to take the entire time off, it seems the Illinois native will not return until after their Week 6 Bye.

Fans question if ankle sprain is the reason for JJ McCarthy’s absence

The reports also confirmed that journeyman backup Carson Wentz would take over as the starter. This already casts an additional cloud over the Minnesota Vikings’ chances, especially since they had Daniel Jones as backup last season but allowed him to walk.

Jones, on the other hand, has been playing lights out for the Indianapolis Colts. Fans rue that they could have seen some Jones magic with Kevin O’Connell calling the shots.

The reactions in the comments section were surprisingly less about Carson Wentz taking over than it was about JJ McCarthy’s struggles. Fans questioned whether the Vikings intentionally labeled an ankle sprain as a way to bench him for his disastrous performance in Game 2.

They felt his QB reads and ability to process the situation in front of him were alarming enough that the Vikings decided it would be best if he just watches for now. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Whatever the true reason is, the Minnesota Vikings are stuck with JJ McCarthy at quarterback. The problem is that his struggles could frustrate the other stars on the team, namely Justin Jefferson, who has backed the young QB so far.

Veteran analyst believes JJ McCarthy looks overwhelmed in NFL

Football fans were not the only ones questioning JJ McCarthy’s ability as a quarterback in the NFL. Veteran analyst Colin Cowherd had similar questions while saying this on The Herd.

JJ McCarthy's Game 2 performances raise more doubts
JJ McCarthy’s Game 2 performances raise more doubts (Image via Ian Rapoport/X)

In 7 of 8 quarters, no touchdowns, 3 picks. Caleb Williams may look out of control and wild. In 7 of 8 quarters, JJ McCarthy looks utterly overwhelmed… There’s a big difference between managing Michigan when you’re the QB under Jim Harbaugh and being a QB in the NFL.

Colin Cowherd said

The FS1 analyst believes the Vikings quarterback did not have to face such challenges at Michigan. That is why he looks overwhelmed without the system. On top of that, he does not have the otherworldly skills some prospects have that can mask their initial struggles.

In McCarthy’s case, Cowherd is not sure if he has anything that can help him overcome his struggles. Therefore, the Vikings could have to circle back and look at other options down the line.

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