We are now entering Week 3 of the NFL season. As more games are played, more players will suffer injuries. The biggest blow from last week came in the form of Joe Burrow’s likely season-ending turf toe. But we also lost another quarterback. JJ McCarthy hurt his ankle in Sunday night’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. What is the latest on his status, and how should fantasy football managers handle the Minnesota Vikings’ offense this week?
JJ McCarthy Injury Update
McCarthy will not play in Week 3 after the Vikings officially ruled him out due to an ankle sprain he suffered during Sunday’s 22-6 loss to the Falcons. Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Monday that McCarthy came into the facility “sore” with the ankle injury and will not be available for Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The injury occurred during the second-year quarterback’s difficult performance against Atlanta, where he was sacked six times and struggled significantly behind a patchwork offensive line. McCarthy was able to finish the game despite taking a beating from the Falcons’ defense, but the ankle issue became apparent afterward.
Falcons pick off McCarthy again!
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While O’Connell indicated the injury is not expected to be long-term, the fact that the Vikings already ruled him out for Week 3 suggests this could be a multi-week absence. Schefter reported McCarthy is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.
The quick decision to sit McCarthy points to the organization taking a cautious approach with their franchise quarterback’s health.
Carson Wentz will start in McCarthy’s place against the Bengals. The veteran quarterback was signed by Minnesota in mid-August after they traded Sam Howell to Philadelphia, making him an unexpected but experienced option to step in.
The last time Wentz made a start was in Week 18 of the 2024 season for Kansas City against Denver, where he completed 10 of 17 passes for 98 yards in a 38-0 loss. That marked his first start since 2022 with Washington, when he threw for 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions across eight games.
McCarthy’s struggles have been evident through two games, as he’s completed just 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. His QBR of 20.4 ranks 32nd out of 33 qualified quarterbacks, highlighting the growing pains of his development.
Fantasy Impact on Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Others
It’s not necessary to dive into alternatives for McCarthy, as he was not a fantasy starter. But we do need to consider how Wentz starting impacts the fantasy values of the rest of this offense.
The quarterback change creates significant ripple effects throughout Minnesota’s offensive skill positions. While Wentz brings veteran experience and a steady presence, his limitations will impact the fantasy outlooks of key playmakers.
Justin Jefferson remains a must-start option despite the quarterback downgrade. The superstar receiver has shown throughout his career that he can produce with any quarterback, having thrived with Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, and various backups over the years. Jefferson’s route-running ability and separation skills should allow him to maintain WR1 production even with Wentz’s limited arm strength and mobility.
However, fantasy managers should temper expectations slightly. Wentz’s career average of 6.7 yards per attempt indicates a more conservative passing attack that may limit Jefferson’s explosive play potential. The veteran quarterback hasn’t topped 7.0 yards per attempt since 2018, suggesting a dink-and-dunk approach that could cap ceiling outcomes.
T.J. Hockenson stands to benefit from Wentz’s preference for safe, underneath targets. The veteran tight end has historically been productive with backup quarterbacks, having caught 95 passes in 2023 despite Minnesota using multiple signal-callers throughout the season. Wentz’s tendency to check down to his tight end in pressure situations could lead to increased target volume for Hockenson.
The Vikings are also expected to be without Aaron Jones Sr., who suffered a hamstring strain against Atlanta and appears unlikely for Week 3. This creates an opportunity for Jordan Mason to step into a feature role after already showing signs of overtaking Jones as the primary ball carrier.
With both McCarthy and Jones sidelined, Minnesota will likely lean heavily on the former 49er to help keep the pressure off Wentz. Mason has already established himself as the more dynamic runner, averaging 4.5 yards per carry compared to Jones’ 3.8 through two games. His physical running style and ability to generate yards after contact make him an ideal complement to a conservative passing attack.
The increased reliance on Mason also makes sense from a game-script perspective. With Wentz under center, the Vikings may adopt a more run-heavy approach to control the clock and limit turnovers. This strategy worked effectively in Mason’s breakout performance against Chicago, where he gained 54 of his 68 rushing yards in the second half during Minnesota’s comeback.