The Minnesota Vikings are already dealing with injuries just three weeks into the NFL season, including at the most important position.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell revealed on Monday that quarterback J.J. McCarthy will likely miss the team's game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. McCarthy suffered an ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, and while the injury isn't serious, it could force McCarthy to miss at least one game.
The news puts Minnesota in scramble mode as the team looks to bounce back from the first loss of the season. Additionally, the Vikings are about to go on an international road trip to end the month, which always makes things a little more complicated for teams.
Here's a look at who will start for the Vikings with McCarthy out.
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Who is the Vikings backup QB?
Minnesota signed journeyman quarterback Carson Wentz in the middle of training camp to serve as J.J. McCarthy's backup this season. The Vikings are Wentz's sixth team in the last six years, as he went from starting quarterback to veteran backup over time.
With McCarthy likely to miss some action, Wentz will be the one to step in and lead the Vikings on the field.
MORE: Inside J.J. McCarthy's Week 2 struggles vs. Falcons
Vikings QB depth chart
| Rank | Quarterback |
| 1. | J.J. McCarthy |
| 2. | Carson Wentz |
| 3. | Max Brosmer |
J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy entered the season as the undisputed starting quarterback for the Vikings despite never playing a down in the NFL prior. The 2024 first-round pick missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, but Minnesota remained committed to him by letting Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones go in free agency.
In his first two games of the 2025 season, McCarthy is 1-1 with 301 total passing yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. The former University of Michigan quarterback led the Wolverines to a national title in 2023 before entering the draft.
MORE: Meet J.J. McCarthy's family tree
Carson Wentz
The Vikings acquired Sam Howell via trade in the offseason, but they traded the quarterback to the Philadelphia Eagles during training camp. To replace Howell, Minnesota signed veteran quarterback Carson Wentz to be the backup, as Wentz is coming off a season as the backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wentz spent the first five seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles as the team's starter. However, the Eagles moved on from him after the 2020 season, and from there, Wentz has played for the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams and Chiefs.
Max Brosmer
Rounding out the Vikings' depth chart is Max Brosmer, a 24-year-old in his rookie season. Brosmer spent five years playing college football for New Hampshire before transferring to the University of Minnesota for a season in 2024, then went undrafted in the offseason.
In Brosmer's lone season as a Minnesota Golden Gopher, he produced 2,828 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns and six interceptions over 13 total games.
MORE: How J.J. McCarthy made return to field after 2024 torn meniscus injury