The Minnesota Vikings will be taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday for their Week 4 showdown, but the big question is, will QB1 J.J. McCarthy play? The quarterback was listed on the team’s injury report this week and did not participate in any of the Vikings’ practices.
However, his game status was also not listed, leading many to ask if he would be present against the Steelers on Sunday or not and how his injury can affect their fantasy leagues.
What Happened To J.J. McCarthy?
J.J. McCarthy reportedly suffered an ankle sprain during the Vikings’ week 2 showdown against the Atlanta Falcons, causing him to miss several games. He is expected to miss around two to four weeks to recover, and Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has said that he is taking a more cautious approach to their star quarterback’s knee injury.
The news of his injury comes as several Vikings players have also been reported as injured, including linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who missed this week’s paractice due to a neck injury. Others who missed practice include Javon Hargrave (chest), left guard Donovan Jackson (wrist), tight end Ben Yurosek (knee), and defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (rest).
Is J.J. McCarthy Playing This Week?
With J.J. McCarthy expected to miss two to four weeks as he nurses his knee injury, the quarterback will not be playing against the Steelers on Sunday. Instead, backup QB Carson Wentz will be the one tasked to start against Pittsburgh in Dublin on Sunday.
The Vikings also have a tough schedule ahead, which may mean that the team is not looking into bringing back their star quarterback so soon.
McCarthy may be expected to return after the Vikings’ Week 6 bye, and it will be an even tougher slate of games as they face the Eagles, Chargers, Lions, and Ravens back-to-back-to-back from Week 7 to 10. This does not bode well for managers playing in Fantasy and Dynasty leagues.
J.J McCarthy Fantasy Outlook
With McCarthy possibly not expected to return until Week 7, it does not look good for fantasy managers who have him. Should he return for Week 7, he would have to perform even better than before against some of the best teams in the league, which means that it also does not look great for Dynasty managers.
As for his back-up QB, Wentz has been playing well in his stead, completing 14 of 20 attempts for 173 yards, leading to two touchdowns against the Bengals. For now, Wentz is looking like the safer bet.
Related:
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