{
  "id": 4755821,
  "title": "Vikings QB JJ McCarthy to Miss Multiple Weeks With Ankle Injury: Report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/vikings-qb-jj-mccarthy-to-miss-multiple-weeks-with-ankle-injury-report",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-01T01:18:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/vikings-qb-jj-mccarthy-to-miss-multiple-weeks-with-ankle-injury-report-12388625"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Minnesota Vikings have announced that quarterback JJ McCarthy will miss multiple weeks due to a sprained ankle, as per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. This means Kyler Murray will begin the 2026 season as the Vikings' starting quarterback. Last year, McCarthy started the season as QB1, but now he could be the team's third QB option. Carson Wentz is expected to serve as the Vikings' secondary option in their Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy's ankle injury is a multi-week issue, as per Schefter, contradicting earlier reports of it being minor and day-to-day. He was unable to take part in the Vikings' preseason finale against the Denver Broncos. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell expressed disappointment, stating that they hoped to have McCarthy start the game but were unable to. Last season, McCarthy played in 10 games for the Vikings, completing 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Following this season, Minnesota signed Murray on a one-year, veteran minimum contract after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings kick off against the Packers on September 13 to start their season.",
  "summary": "ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared new details on the nature of the ankle injury for Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy.",
  "key_points": [
    "JJ McCarthy to miss multiple weeks with sprained ankle",
    "Kyler Murray to start 2026 season as Vikings QB",
    "Carson Wentz as secondary option in Week 1 game"
  ],
  "editors_take": "JJ McCarthy's multi-week absence elevates Kyler Murray to the starting quarterback role and potentially relegates McCarthy to a third-string option, behind Carson Wentz, for the Vikings' season opener.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}