Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is expected to be sidelined two to four weeks with a high ankle sprain, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell had said earlier in the day that McCarthy was «very sore» after suffering a sprained ankle against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night and likely would be ruled out of the Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
O'Connell said Carson Wentz is Minnesota's likely starter for Week 3 against the Bengals.
«We are not planning on having [McCarthy] for Sunday,» O'Connell said. «I don't likely see this being any kind of short-term IR thing, but I do want to see how he responds to treatment this week.»
O'Connell said running back Aaron Jones is also likely out against the Bengals with a hamstring injury.
McCarthy has been sacked nine times in the first two games, including six in the 22-6 loss to the Falcons on Sunday night. The Falcons intercepted two of his passes, and he fumbled three times, including twice when he dropped the ball without being hit, and lost one.
McCarthy played most of Sunday's game behind a patchwork offensive line after center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule left early because of concussions.
Over his first two NFL starts, McCarthy has completed 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He has also rushed seven times for 50 yards and a touchdown, but his QBR of 20.4 ranks No. 32 of 33 qualified quarterbacks in the league.
Jones left in the third quarter of Sunday's game and did not return. He has rushed for 46 yards on 13 carries this season.
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