Vikings’ JJ McCarthy Injury Update Emerges on Sunday
The Minnesota Vikings’ struggles continued in Week 8, dropping to 3-4 after a 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night. The offense looked out of rhythm under backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who completed 15 of 27 passes for 144 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while facing heavy pressure throughout the game.
Minnesota has been without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy and his absence was again evident in the loss. The first-round pick has been sidelined since Week 2 with a high ankle sprain, forcing the Vikings to rely on Wentz and an offense that has lacked consistency.
As Minnesota prepares for a divisional clash against the Detroit Lions in Week 9, all eyes are now on McCarthy’s health and when he might return.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Vikings expect McCarthy to suit up when the team travels to Detroit to face one of the top teams in the NFL.
“The Minnesota Vikings are expecting to get J.J. McCarthy back for their next game, that is against the Lions in Week 9,” Rapoport said on Sunday.
He added that the team wanted to ensure McCarthy was “fully healthy and ready to go” and had enough practice time to be game-ready before taking the field again.
McCarthy, who suffered the injury in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, has since focused on recovery with a cautious approach from the medical staff. Drafted 10th overall in 2024, McCarthy entered the league with significant hype after a standout career with the Michigan Wolverines. His early performances this season showed flashes of composure and accuracy, completing 65 percent of his passes in the season opener against the Chicago Bears.
Since McCarthy’s injury, the Vikings have had to rely heavily on Wentz. While he has managed to steady the ship with 1,216 yards, six touchdowns in five games, he has looked shaky at times with five interceptions already this season.
Getting McCarthy back could provide much-needed stability for a team struggling to keep pace with the Lions and Green Bay Packers in the NFC North. His ability to extend plays and manage the offense efficiently gives Minnesota a different offensive flow. The Vikings will hope the young quarterback can stay healthy and spark a turnaround when they visit the Lions in Detroit next Sunday.
New Coach Thrilled as Ex-Oiler Finally Finding Fit After First Goal
Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm couldn’t be more relieved and happier after Viktor Arvidsson finally found the back of the net. The former Edmonton Oiler scored his first goal as a Bruin in Friday’s 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche — and the bench boss was thrilled to see it happen.
“I’m glad he found the net,” Sturm said after the game. “Hopefully not just him, but the whole team can enjoy a glass of wine tonight and kind of relax a little bit.”
It was a goal that was followed by a “battle cry”, as NESN puts it. He’d been working hard to get on the scoresheet since arriving in a trade, but Arvidsson hadn’t put one past a goalie. Finally, he got one, banking a shot off Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood from behind the net. Just 39 seconds later, Boston scored again to take the lead — a sequence that flipped the game and fueled the win.
The milestone was a big one for Arvidsson, who joined the Bruins earlier this month after being traded by the Oilers for a 2027 fifth-round pick. Edmonton’s cap crunch made the move necessary, but the Oilers could potentially use his depth scoring now. Outside of a six-goal outburst versus the Montreal Canadiens, the Oilers are struggling to find goals. Arvidsson only has one, but has notched points in three straight games, giving him four points in 10 appearances.
Perhaps more than the points, Arvdisson brings energy and experience to the Bruins. It’s that kind of aggressive style that the Oilers seem to be missing so far this season. Arvidsson didn’t have a great year in 2024-25, but it was never for a lack of trying. He’s a smaller guy with a motor that won’t quit.
Arvidsson tallied 27 points in 64 games last season with Edmonton, but he’s now on pace for 33. With his confidence growing — and his coach firmly in his corner (which the Oilers arguably were not)— the veteran forward looks poised to carve out a key role in the Bruins’ top nine moving forward.
