Desmond Ridder lands with Vikings after tryout, set as emergency QB amid McCarthy injury

Desmond Ridder beat out fellow journeyman quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in a tryout and signed with Minnesota on Tuesday, after J.J. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain. Ridder is expected to serve as the Vikings’ emergency third-string quarterback behind starter Carson Wentz and backup Max Brosmer for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to multiple reports.

Ridder, 26, appeared in six games for the Raiders last season after being a third-round pick. He spent his first two NFL seasons with the Falcons, playing in 19 games (17 starts). Ridder spent much of training camp with the Bengals but was cut by the team just before the start of the season.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who spent the past two seasons with the Browns after being drafted in the fifth round by Cleveland in 2023, remains a free agent.

The Vikings (1-1) are also dealing with injuries in their running back room after starter Aaron Jones was put on injury reserve with a hamstring strain. Jordan Mason is expected to serve as the RB1 in Jones’ absence. The Vikings also signed ball carrier Cam Akers, who has spent parts of the past two seasons with Minnesota, to their practice squad. “We’re definitely dealing with some adversity right now, for sure,” O’Connell said Monday.

The injury to McCarthy, which was announced earlier in the week, is expected to sideline him for approximately two to four weeks as Minnesota updates its depth chart at quarterback. McCarthy hurt his ankle on a third-quarter play during Sunday night’s loss to the Falcons and was evaluated on the sideline before finishing the game. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell described the news as “pretty crushing.”

Ridder’s addition provides Minnesota with a veteran option who has started in the NFL, though his role remains limited behind Wentz and Brosmer. The move reflects the Vikings’ urgency to stabilize the quarterback room after McCarthy’s injury and comes as the team aims to rebound from a 1-1 start while managing a growing list of injuries on both sides of the ball.

As the team prepares for Sunday’s matchup against the Bengals and looks to maintain a competitive lineup, Ridder’s acclimation to Minnesota’s system will be watched closely by coaches and teammates. The veteran’s familiarity with multiple NFL schemes could help ease the transition if he is needed to step in, even as Minnesota remains focused on a steady path forward for its offense.