Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

J.J. McCarthy was injured in the loss against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football. He is expected to miss multiple weeks.

Minnesota has signed a former third-round pick to back up Carson Wentz, who will be the starter for the time being. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has reported that the Vikings have signed Desmond Ridder. Ridder has NFL experience and will be placed directly onto the active roster. Ridder entered the NFL as a third-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft. He would start four games in his rookie season and win two of them.

The following year in Atlanta, Ridder would win the starting job and make 13 starts for the Falcons, but would only throw for 12 touchdowns to go along with 12 interceptions. After bouncing around to a couple of teams, Ridder would spend last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he would make one start and lose.

In the NFL, as of yet, Ridder hasn't justified the Falcons' third-round draft choice of 2022. He has a record of 8-10 as a starter, has 16 touchdowns to go along with 14 interceptions thus far. Ridder can move around the pocket a bit and has scored five rushing touchdowns during his time in the NFL while gaining 293 yards. The Vikings were not in a position to take on a contract like Kirk Cousins, as many teams in the NFL aren't, but they needed a depth pickup and found a quarterback with experience.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Vikings to provide depth at QB after McCarthy injury by signing former 3rd round pick

Reporting by Josh Petry, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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