JJ McCarthy likely out vs Bengals: Who’s the Vikings’ backup QB and how does their depth chart look?

After their Week 2 loss, the Minnesota Vikings are facing the Week 3 game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals with another problem. The quarterback, JJ McCarthy, appears to have suffered an ankle injury that could sideline him for the next few games. Who is his backup?

With McCarthy missing the game, the next man up is NFL veteran Carson Wentz. After years of wandering around the league, Wentz could have the opportunity to play under Kevin O’Connell and see if he can thrive. Once touted as a prodigious talent, Wentz’s career has been going downhill due to injuries and reckless play. With O’Connell though, he might have the chance to get a good game under a brilliant playcaller. The other QB on the depth chart is Max Brosmer, also injured.

McCarthy was heavily pressured by the Falcons defense on Sunday Night Football. He suffered six sacks on the game and Minnesota’s offense couldn’t move the chains properly. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the quarterback is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.

McCarthy is not the only injured starter for the Vikings

Aside from McCarthy, running back Aaron Jones also suffered a hamstring injury. Per Alec Lewis of The Athletic, Jones is likely out for the Bengals game too. As for the offensive line, Lewis reported “C Ryan Kelly and LT Justin Skule are in the concussion protocol. Kevin O’Connell said positive early signs, but that’s totally in the hands of medical staff.”

This could spell big trouble for the Vikings in Week 3. No starting quarterback, no starting running back, and the backups would be probably playing under offensive linemen backups too. Moving the chains could become really tough. However, the Bengals defense is not that good, so maybe O’Connell can draw a decent enough outing to get the win.

Vikings vs. Bengals will have backup QBs battle

While it’s not good news for the Vikings to have JJ McCarthy out, they don’t have to fear facing Joe Burrow. The Bengals quarterback also suffered an injury in Week 2 and will miss approximately three months of action.

Hence, we could be in store for Carson Wentz vs. Jake Browning during Week 3. The game will obviously lack explosive plays but there is still the chance to see Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson trying to rack up numbers with limited quarterbacks as they battle for the top spot on the wide receivers’ world.