Bengals-Vikings Week 3 Odds Shift After Latest J.J. McCarthy Injury Report

The Vikings' odds against the Bengals have shifted.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings are bracing to be without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Week 3 of the NFL season against the Cincinnati Bengals.

According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, McCarthy is dealing with an ankle sprain and could miss Week 3. If he does, Carson Wentz will get the start in his place.

NEW: Vikings are not anticipating having J.J. McCarthy this week because of an ankle sprain, per Kevin O'Connell. Not expected to be long term.

Carson Wentz is the likely starter.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 15, 2025

Oddsmakers have already made an adjustment to the odds for the Bengals-Vikings matchup in Week 3. Minnesota was a 4.5-point favorite earlier on Monday, but DraftKings has moved the team down to a three-point favorite with McCarthy ailing.

On the bright side for Vikings fans, it appears that McCarthy avoided a serious injury, although Kevin O'Connell would not commit to a timetable for return to the former first-round pick.

Kevin O'Connell said he does not think J.J. McCarthy's ankle sprain will require a short-term IR stay, but he does not yet have a firm timetable for how many games he will miss.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 15, 2025

The Vikings are 1-1 in the 2025 season after losing on Sunday Night Football to the Atlanta Falcons. McCarthy struggled in that game, throwing for just 158 yards and two interceptions while leading the Vikings to just six points.

He's thrown for under 160 yards in each of his starts to open the 2025 season, and it's possible his ankle issue contributed to his poor showing in Week 2.

Minnesota is third in the odds to win the NFC North this season at +650 and has fallen to +6000 to win the Super Bowl.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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