Concerning JJ McCarthy News Emerges After Vikings Injury Spell
The timeline for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s return has been muddied by travel, short weeks and, apparently, his overall ability to recover.
Approaching a Week 8 “Thursday Night Football” matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, McCarthy is not expected to play as the team wants to see him in a full week of practice after he suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2.
Conflicting reports have left fans wondering why the team did not put him on injured reserve, and while six weeks seemed to be a possibility, the Vikings expected him to progress faster, according to The Athletic’s Diana Russini.
“They didn’t call it a setback; they just were hoping he was going to progress faster — and he didn’t,” Russini said Monday, October 20, on “Scoop City.” “They want him to have a full week of practice. So, I think we can assume that the game against the Chargers on Thursday will probably not be realistic.”
The Vikings’ management of McCarthy’s ankle is concerning, given Russini’s report. McCarthy suffered additional swelling in his ankle during the team’s flight to Dublin, which could have played a role in his extended recovery timeline.
JJ McCarthy on Short Leash When He Returns to Vikings Lineup
McCarthy’s extended recovery period has allowed Carson Wentz to leave an impression on the team. While Wentz is coming off a stinker against the Philadelphia Eagles, he has kept the Vikings competitive and the offense moving as Kevin O’Connell continues to tinker with the best game plan for the veteran quarterback.
While the Vikings maintain that McCarthy is their quarterback of the future, the crossroads they’re approaching between Wentz and McCarthy (when both quarterbacks are healthy) will be a
“You see some things from [Wentz] and you’re like okay, like I think Kevin [O’Connell] can make this work,” Russini added. “It’s where this is going to get a little fishy, I think and a little dicey for them, is when everybody’s healthy, like what are we going to do? And they will tell you that they’re going to go with J.J. McCarthy.”
That’s definitely the case.
However, the Vikings are still hovering at .500 with Wentz poised for another start. A win on Thursday would set the stage for McCarthy to will a veteran-laden roster into the heat of the playoff chase.
How much runway he gets with just two career starts under his belt this late into the 2025 regular season remains to be seen.
Vikings Must Sink or Swim With JJ McCarthy
There is the notion of maintaining a winning culture and appeasing a locker room full of veterans who are ready to win now.
But Wentz is not going to take them there.
The many veterans who signed on this season were also aware they would ride the highs and lows of a first-year starter at quarterback.
Unfortunately, the margin for error is slim whenever McCarthy returns. He is slated to take back the starting reins with the bulk of the division schedule dead ahead.
With McCarthy and Wentz limited with injuries this week, O’Connell has played coy about making a definitive quarterback decision for the season. He has stressed he is solely focused on putting together the best game plan for the players that are available any given week.
That’s likely been due to the fickle nature of McCarthy’s ankle sprain.
But once he returns, McCarthy must play as much as possible so they can determine what they have in their first-round quarterback going forward.
Vikings Get Major Update on RB Aaron Jones Ahead of ‘TNF’
Considering the Minnesota Vikings have had to pivot to veteran journeyman Carson Wentz under center due to J.J. McCarthy nursing a high-ankle sprain, head coach Kevin O’Connell and company have done an admirable job of keeping their heads above water at 3-3.
However, the margin for error will continue to shrink for the Vikings moving forward, especially heading into a matchup against a desperate and talented Los Angeles Chargers team in a short week.
The Vikings might get a boost in the backfield during the Thursday night matchup against the Chargers, with an intriguing update from O’Connell on veteran running back Aaron Jones.
Major Update on the Status of Vikings RB Aaron Jones
During media availability, O’Connell gave a crucial and positive update on Jones’ status ahead of Week 8 against the Chargers.
“Also wanted to make note that Aaron Jones’s 21-day window is opening up today,” O’Connell said. “That’ll be something that will happen today, and we’ll see where he’s at potentially for his availability on Thursday night.”
Jones is working his way back from a hamstring injury, which has limited him to only two games so far this season. The return of the veteran would definitely help out the run game, which in turn will help the passing game for Wentz and ultimately McCarthy.
Jones has carried the football just 13 times for 46 rushing yards.
Carson Wentz Gets Another Start for Vikings
The big question heading into a short week in Week 8 is whether the Vikings would have J.J. McCarty back under center after missing so much time due to the high-ankle sprain, which is always a tricky injury to come back from.
Unfortunately for McCarthy, it will be another week of waiting for the young quarterback, as he’s just not ready yet to return.
“Earlier this morning, we did put J.J. McCarthy through an on-field workout just to see if he had a chance to make it this week,” O’Connell said. “We’re all kind of encouraged about where he’s at and the progress he’s making, but he’s just not there.”
With McCarthy still not ready to get back under center as the starter for Minnesota, the team will turn to Carson Wentz once again.
“Carson Wentz will start, Max [Brosmer] will be the backup and J.J. will be available in case of emergency as the third. Like I said, encouraged about where he’s at and very much looking forward to continuing his progression and hopefully having a chance to go next week.”
Heading into Week 8, Wentz has thrown for 1,072 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions, which obviously aren’t great numbers, as he started strong, taking over for McCarthy and has cooled off with O’Connell seemingly itching to get his young quarterback back under center sooner rather than later.
It’ll be interesting to see if Wentz can lead the Vikings to a win against a struggling Chargers squad before handing the starting job over to McCarthy.
