Embattled Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the team’s preseason finale on Friday night in Denver.

Beat writer Alec Lewis reports that while the Vikings hoped McCarthy’s ankle would heal in time for the game, the young quarterback was “not comfortable enough to go.” The injury is considered minor, and the team considers him day-to-day.

It’s unclear if the Vikings’ training staff had any say in McCarthy’s availability.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy won’t play tonight against Broncos, multiple sources told The Athletic. The team had hoped McCarthy’s ankle would heal ahead of the game. McCarthy ultimately was not comfortable enough to go. The injury is considered minor, and he’s day to day.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 28, 2026

McCarthy injured his ankle in the Vikings’ preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday. He split backup reps with Carson Wentz in practice and was held out of Wednesday’s practice in an attempt to let his ankle heal.

After losing the starting quarterback job to Kyler Murray earlier in training camp, McCarthy’s shaky performances throughout camp and preseason led many to speculate that he was in a battle with Wentz for the team’s backup job. Head coach Kevin O’Connell left the door open when asked about the backup job, noting that the coaching staff will assess its options and make a decision that’s best for the team.

Lewis stated on a podcast appearance earlier this week that Wentz is “definitely going to be the backup” in Minnesota.

With McCarthy now missing the last preseason game, speculation is only going to increase that Wentz will back up Murray when the Vikings open the season against Green Bay in a couple of weeks.

It will also increase trade speculation circling McCarthy after he lost the starting job fewer than three seasons after the Vikings drafted him with the No. 10 overall pick.

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Aug 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Vikings section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Yahoo Sports