Injury Can Be Fitting End for Vikings and J.J. McCarthy

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From the moment Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings, he was destined to be their starter for the 2026 […]

NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings — Aug 22, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks on after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

From the moment Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings, he was destined to be their starter for the 2026 season. There was a competition to give J.J. McCarthy some hope, but he erased that with his own lack of development.

J.J. McCarthy Won’t Play in Vikings-Broncos Preseason Finale

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) and Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) embrace following a Minnesota Vikings 13-10 victory during a preseason opening game between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. – Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Intended to start the final preseason game against the Denver Broncos, an ankle injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens will keep him off the field. That’s fitting, considering it has been injuries that have limited him to just 10 games over the first two seasons of his career.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy won’t play tonight against Broncos, multiple sources told The Athletic. The team had hoped McCarthy’s ankle would heal ahead of the game. McCarthy ultimately was not comfortable enough to go. The injury is considered minor, and he’s day to day.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 28, 2026

McCarthy has made a habit of struggling to stay on the field, and he’s been poor when playing as well. Kevin O’Connell wanted to get him run in the final exhibition contest to see where he was at, but also likely to protect his QB2, Carson Wentz.

Now that isn’t going to happen, and McCarthy won’t get a final salvo for Minnesota prior to the season kicking off.

A World Where the Vikings Offload McCarthy

Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws downfield during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

It would be silly for the Vikings to cut McCarthy for nothing, but they shouldn’t expect to trade him for much either. Still, any value that remains at this point makes sense to cash in on, and rolling with Murray and Wentz is plenty to lean on for the 2026 season.

Trading J.J. McCarthy can't be ruled out, but from everything I know, the situation isn't urgent, dire or toxic enough for the Vikings to just give him away. We shall see how the next few days play out. https://t.co/WMYgHvsRWA
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 28, 2026

As Kevin Seifert (ESPN) mentions, Minnesota shouldn’t accept a bag of balls for McCarthy. A late-round pick or a different reclamation project is hardly a bad swap, though. Carrying him into the regular season and using that roster spot for a mediocre quarterback that can’t stay healthy seems misguided.

The MN Vikings kick off Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers on September 13. With the preseason in the rearview mirror, how they sort this one out will be something to stare at for the next two weeks.

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