J.J. McCarthy Injured as Vikings Scramble To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings’ postseason hopes take a hit as J.J. McCarthy’s injury situation gets real after the Falcons loss.

The Minnesota Vikings are going to be without their star quarterback for a crucial stretch of early-season games.

J.J. McCarthy is expected to be out two to four weeks with a high-ankle sprain, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said McCarthy was “very sore” after suffering the injury during Sunday’s 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons . O’Connell told reporters at his Monday press conference that it’s highly unlikely McCarthy will be available to play Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals .

“We are not planning on having [McCarthy] for Sunday,” O’Connell said. “I don’t likely see this being any kind of short-term IR thing. But I do want to see how he responds to treatment this week.”

That sets up backup Carson Wentz as the starter again