Two weeks into the 2025 NFL season, Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy saw a year's worth of highs and lows.
After leading Minnesota to an impressive come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bears in his regular-season debut in Week 1, McCarthy took his fair share of bumps and bruises in a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Among those bumps and bruises is an ankle injury that has sent McCarthy to the sidelines.
One day after the "Sunday Night Football" loss to Atlanta, Minnesota indicated that McCarthy would likely be unavailable in Week 3, the precursor to a larger absence that has kept him sidelined for the majority of the season.
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Here is everything to know about McCarthy's injury and how close he is to a return.
What is J.J. McCarthy's injury?
McCarthy's injury is a high ankle sprain.
While it has not been confirmed, the injury is believed to have occurred at the end of a scramble in the third quarter of Minnesota's Week 2 loss. Here is a look at the play in question:
The play on which J.J. McCarthy likely injured his ankle took place on a third quarter scramble. I'll let the NFL decide, but this has several elements of a hip-drop tackle pic.twitter.com/nDBTxRZ0P4
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) September 15, 2025
McCarthy received attention and had his ankle re-taped during the second half, but finished the game.
MORE: Inside J.J. McCarthy's Week 2 struggles vs. Falcons
How long is J.J. McCarthy out?
McCarthy will be out through at least Week 8, according to a new report from ESPN's Adam Schefter. But, ahead of the matchup, he was limited in practice.
#Vikings QBs J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Carson Wentz (left shoulder) were both listed as limited on today's estimated injury report ahead of Thursday night's game vs. The Chargers.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 20, 2025
Schefter reported that doctors believed McCarthy's injury would take six weeks to heal, and the timeline aligns with those beliefs. McCarthy went down in Week 2, and is expected to be ready for a possible return during Week 9.
That said, McCarthy was listed as inactive for Week 7, but is Minnesota's emergency third quarterback against Philadelphia.
Wentz will start the short-week Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Chargers for "Thursday Night Football." McCarthy is reportedly making progress and would've had a better chance starting in Week 8 if the game were on Sunday, and not Thursday. McCarthy will turn his attention to returning in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions.
MORE: Meet J.J. McCarthy's family tree
Vikings schedule 2025
McCarthy has been out since Week 2, missing both games on the Vikings' international trip and using the bye week as another opportunity to recover.
Here is a look at Minnesota's upcoming schedule:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| 8 | Oct. 23 | at Chargers | 8:15 p.m. |
| 9 | Nov. 2 | at Lions | 1 p.m. |
| 10 | Nov. 9 | vs. Ravens | 1 p.m. |
| 11 | Nov. 16 | vs. Bears | 1 p.m. |