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VIkings Announce QB Signing Despite Not Placing J.J. McCarthy on IR

By Chris Schad

Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts after a play during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts after a play during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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The Minnesota Vikings took their lumps in a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, but so did quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The first-year starter took his lumps during Sunday’s loss, and his status became as big a question as his development when head coach Kevin O’Connell announced he was dealing with an ankle sprain on Monday.

While NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that McCarthy will not be going on injured reserve, the Vikings are already thinking about contingency plans behind Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. It left Minnesota hitting the free agent market to add depth, and adding Desmond Ridder to the 53-man roster.

Vikings Add Former Falcons QB Desmond Ridder with J.J. McCarthy Timeline Unclear

Ridder shouldn’t be an indictment of McCarthy’s performance so far. While McCarthy has completed just 58.5% of his passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions over two games, Ridder has fallen off the map after he was taken by the Falcons in the third round of the 2022 draft, getting bounced out of Atlanta after two seasons and spending last year between the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders.

But Ridder’s signing adds another layer of intrigue to McCarthy’s timeline. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that McCarthy is expected to be out 2-4 weeks but Pelissero noted that he is “week-to-week.” That timeline means McCarthy will miss Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but could leave the door open to return for the Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland.

The decision could also hint that McCarthy could be on the closer end of Schefter’s timeline, as placing him on IR would require him to sit out for a minimum of four games. But with the bye week coming after a Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns in London, it is possible he returns in Week 7 when the Vikings host the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Ridder signing also reflects the uncertainty left in the wake of McCarthy’s injury. Wentz, who will start Sunday’s game against Cincinnati, didn’t sign with the Vikings until Aug. 24. If Wentz struggles to pick things up less than a month after arriving in Minnesota, it could lead the Vikings to turn to Brosmer, who could need another quarterback behind him if he’s thrown into action.

All of these things made Ridder a Viking and didn’t give much clarity on how long McCarthy will be out. For the Vikings' sake, they need to hope Wentz or whoever goes under center can hold it together with the injuries piling up before they enter the Week 6 bye.

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