Vikings start Wentz vs Bengals after Jones on IR and McCarthy out

The Minnesota Vikings placed veteran running back Aaron Jones on injured reserve on Tuesday and will be without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy for at least the next two to four weeks after McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday night’s 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium, NFL and league sources said. The moves leave the team short-handed and prompt a series of roster additions as Minnesota prepares to start backup Carson Wentz in Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jones, who suffered the hamstring injury late in the loss to Atlanta, was moved to injured reserve, meaning he must miss a minimum of four games, league sources told reporters. The team signed running back Cam Akers to the practice squad and will turn to Jordan Mason as the clear lead back after Mason had already outworked Jones through the first two games. The Vikings also added depth behind McCarthy at quarterback, signing Desmond Ridder to the active roster and elevating Carson Wentz to the starting role for Week 3, according to NFL reports.

McCarthy injured his ankle on a scramble during the Falcons game and finished the contest, but was evaluated afterwards and has...