Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is unlikely to play this week due to an ankle sprain, head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday.

Current backup Carson Wentz is expected to be the starter against Bengals backup Jake Browning, who steps in again for injured starter Joe Burrow. Burrow will undergo surgery to repair a toe injury after leaving Sunday's win over the Jaguars.

McCarthy sustained the injury on a broken play that ended with a tackle near the sideline. McCarthy missed all of the 2024 season after tearing his meniscus during a preseason game, which required surgery.

Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his performance in his first start in Week 1, McCarthy has shown mixed results. He struggled Sunday night against the Falcons, going 11 of 21 with 158 yards and two intercepti

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