An uneven start to the Minnesota Vikings' season is about to get even more interesting in Week 3. What started as a potential leg up on the Cincinnati Bengals -- Joe Burrow being ruled out with an unfortunate toe injury -- became a scale evener when it was revealed the Vikings were dealing with a similar situation with J.J. McCarthy.
While it's different injuries, both quarterbacks arrived at the same result: being ruled out for Sunday's game.
It was something we all assumed would be coming, but the Vikings made it official that McCarthy was out for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Final #CINvsMIN injury report
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 19, 2025
OUT: Ryan Kelly, J.J. McCarthy and Justin Skule
QUESTIONABLE: Christian Darrisaw, Austin Keys, Harrison Smith and Andrew Van Ginkel pic.twitter.com/DiUeskDwxX
This means it's officially Carson Wentz time for the Vikings, which is something that could go in a number of different directions.
Vikings rule J.J. McCarthy out for Week 3, which is a perfect chance for Carson Wentz
Wentz was added near the end of training camp when the Vikings traded Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks. It was a bit of a surprise given how set the quarterback situation seemed heading into the season, but it could turn into a gamble that pays off even bigger based on how things go on Sunday.
There's precedent for the Vikings running into a backup quarterback situation and having it work out well. Lest we forget when Sam Bradford turned into Case Keenum and a trip to the NFC Championship Game, or how Sam Darnold went from a potential mentor to McCarthy to leading the Vikings to one of the best records in the league last year.
It even extends beyond direct impact on the Vikings. Daniel Jones spent half a season with KOC and the Vikings and has already looked like an entirely different quarterback with the Colts. The fact that the success rate is so high when it comes to getting the most out of quarterbacks is reason to believe Wentz is going to turn back into a version of himself he was when he was on an MVP track back in 2018.
Of course, Wentz has a track record of turning into a pumpkin, too. There's a chance we see that version of him on Sunday against a Bengals team that will be playing with something to prove after losing Burrow and essentially getting counted out.
The same could be said for the Vikings, as well as Wentz who has a chance to reverse the narrative about him and become the latest quarterback to benefit from getting into Kevin O'Connell's orbit.