J.J. McCarthy gets positive injury update as Vikings add QB to 53-man roster

Mike Moraitis

J.J. McCarthy gets positive injury update as Vikings add QB to 53-man roster image

The Minnesota Vikings reportedly made one roster move on Tuesday and it did not involve placing quarterback J.J. McCarthy on injured reserve.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Vikings are adding quarterback Desmond Ridder to the 53-man roster. Ridder offers some extra insurance for Minnesota in the event Carson Wentz gets hurt.

The fact that the Vikings didn't place McCarthy on injured reserve means they expect him to be back on the shorter end of his recovery timeline.

McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and is expected to be out two to four weeks. A trip to IR would have kept him out for a minimum of four weeks.

Ridder was a third-round pick of the Falcons in 2022. After failing in his bid to be the long-term starter in Atlanta, Ridder latched on with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, appearing in six games (one start).

Ridder gives the Vikings an experienced option if Wentz gets hurt. Before adding him, rookie Max Brosmer would have been the next man up if Wentz were to get injured.

MORE NFL NEWS

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.