Vikings May Be With out A number of Offensive Starters, Together with QB J.J. McCarthy, Towards Steelers

The Minnesota Vikings could possibly be with out a number of offensive starters in Week 4 in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, together with QB J.J. McCarthy. Head coach Kevin O’Connell informed reporters that McCarthy has an ankle sprain and can probably miss Week 3 in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s unknown if he’ll be accessible for Week 4, though O’Connell mentioned they don’t see a looming IR stint for McCarthy, per CBS Sports activities’ Jonathan Jones.

Along with McCarthy, O’Connell informed reporters, together with ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, that RB Aaron Jones is unlikely to play in Week 3, placing his standing probably unsure for Week 4.

McCarthy missed all of 2024 with a knee damage, and whereas he began and completed each of Minnesota’s first two video games, he suffered an ankle sprain throughout their Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. After main Minnesota to a come-from-behind win and being named NFC Offensive Participant of the Week in Week 1, McCarthy got here again all the way down to earth in Week 2, finishing simply 11-for-21 passes for 158 yards with two interceptions. He additionally took six sacks.

McCarthy will likely be changed by veteran Carson Wentz in Week 3, and Wentz would probably get the beginning if McCarthy can’t go in Week 4 as effectively. Jones has been outproduced by RB Jordan Mason to this point this season, however with Ty Chandler on IR, it leaves the Vikings skinny at working again. Jones had simply 5 carries for 23 yards in Week 2.

Mason was acquired in an offseason commerce with the San Francisco 49ers and ran 9 instances for 30 yards in opposition to Atlanta after main the staff with 15 carries for 68 yards in Week 1. The Vikings have utilized each Jones and Mason within the backfield, though Jones has been functioning as Minnesota’s starter.

The Vikings are banged up with LB Blake Cashman additionally on IR, and now their offense is shedding key expertise forward of their journey to Eire in opposition to the Steelers in simply two weeks. It’s the second Steelers opponent to endure an damage to their beginning QB in Week 2, because the Cincinnati Bengals additionally misplaced Joe Burrow for at the very least three months resulting from a toe damage. The Vikings and Bengals will play one another in Week 3 in a battle of backup quarterbacks, and the Steelers might even see each Wentz and Jake Browning within the coming weeks.