Vikings add Desmond Ridder to 53-man roster after J.J. McCarthy ankle injury
Backup depth bolstered as rookie J.J. McCarthy is expected to miss 2–4 weeks; Carson Wentz set to start Sunday
The Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday signed quarterback Desmond Ridder to their 53-man roster after starter J.J. McCarthy suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
McCarthy, 22, was hurt in the third quarter on a second-and-20 play and was evaluated on the sideline before finishing the game. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that the initial on-field assessment did not seem severe but that medical staff later informed the team the injury was worse than it had appeared. O’Connell called the news "pretty crushing." ESPN reported McCarthy is expected to be out two to four weeks.
The move gives Minnesota a more experienced option behind veteran Carson Wentz, who is expected to start Sunday when the Vikings face the Cincinnati Bengals. Ridder, 26, entered the league as the Atlanta Falcons’ third-round pick in 2022 and appeared in 19 games during his first two NFL seasons. He spent part of 2024 with the Las Vegas Raiders, appearing in six games, and signed with the Bengals in July before being released in final roster cuts.
Ridder started Cincinnati’s final preseason game, completing eight of 20 passes for 75 yards and one interception against the Indianapolis Colts. The signing was first reported by the NFL Network.
The roster addition preserves depth behind Wentz and reflects the NFL’s short-term response pattern when a young starter faces a multi-week absence. Minnesota can carry Ridder on the active roster for the coming games without moving additional players from other positions.
Wentz, 32, is slated to start Sunday, a development that would make him the first quarterback in NFL history to start a game for six different teams in six straight seasons if he takes the field. The Vikings must now manage McCarthy’s recovery and game-week preparations while integrating Ridder into the team’s practice and game plan rhythm.
McCarthy’s injury is the latest in a string of setbacks to temporarily alter Minnesota’s quarterback room and raises immediate questions about the team’s short-term plans at the position. The Vikings have not announced a precise timetable beyond the medical estimate; the organization will provide updates as McCarthy progresses through treatment and evaluation.