J.J. McCarthy set to miss Vikings’ preseason finale in Denver after ankle concern

J.J. McCarthy is expected to miss the Minnesota Vikings’ preseason finale in Denver after an ankle injury left him “not comfortable,” according to a report published Friday. McCarthy was forced to sit out practice on Wednesday, the day after Minnesota’s preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens, an issue that has carried into the final week of exhibition games.

The immediate impact is straightforward for the Vikings’ final tune-up before their regular-season schedule begins. With McCarthy sidelined, Minnesota will have to rely on its other quarterbacks to run the offense through the late-game situations and the primary work needed for timing, protection calls, and rhythm against Denver’s starters and rotational groups.

For the Broncos, the opportunity is equally practical. Denver gets a chance to evaluate coverage and pass-rush matchups without having to prepare specifically for McCarthy’s exact cadence and pocket movement tendencies, though it will still face a live quarterback environment that matters for preseason decisions.

The report frames McCarthy’s status not as a firm injury timetable, but as a comfort-and-function question, which is typical of ankle issues where the ability to plant, throw off the back foot, and withstand pressure can vary day to day. That makes this a watchful situation rather than one with a clear, immediate return window based on the information currently available.

McCarthy has been one of Minnesota’s primary figures at quarterback, so his absence also changes the internal competition for reps. Preseason finales often determine how coaches weigh the depth chart beyond the starter, and missed practice time can slow a quarterback’s ability to build continuity with the first-team unit.

On Friday night, Minnesota’s focus will likely be less about results and more about execution. A backup-led sequence can reveal whether the offense’s protections and play design hold up when the quarterback timing changes, and whether the Vikings’ support group can keep the game-plan coherent through the rotation.

The Vikings’ next step, and what to watch after Denver, is whether McCarthy’s “not comfortable” status clears as the week progresses. If he remains limited, Minnesota’s quarterback depth reps will become the story, not only for preseason evaluation but for what the team needs to feel confident heading into the regular season.