J.J. McCarthy Out for Vikings vs. Browns with Ankle Injury, Carson Wentz to Start

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cleveland BRowns as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Carson Wentz will once again start in his place.

McCarthy was previously ruled out of the Vikings' Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a high ankle sprain, with ESPN's Adam Schefter later reporting that he was expected to miss between two and four weeks while recovering.

The 22-year-old suffered the injury during a scramble play late in the third quarter of Minnesota's 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. He didn't come out for the rest of the game, though.

The start of McCarthy's NFL career has been largely defined by injuries, as he missed his entire rookie season in 2024 due to a torn meniscus.

He was healthy in time for the start of his 2025 campaign, completing 65 percent of his throws for 143 yards and two touchdowns compared to one interception during a 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 1. McCarthy also scored once on the ground.

His late heroics helped Minnesota overcome an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to win, although he couldn't replicate the same impact against Atlanta.

McCarthy finished 11-of-21 for just 158 yards, getting picked off twice in the defeat at the hands of the Falcons. The Vikings were only able to amass 198 yards of total offense.

Wentz, who threw for 350 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in a Week 4 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, will look to get the Vikings to 3-2 with a win over Cleveland on Sunday.