Vikings QB Raises Red Flag Before Week 7 Game Against Eagles
The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback decision between Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy for Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles could be made for them. Both QBs practiced on Wednesday, but it was McCarthy whose remarks offered some cause for concern.
McCarthy admitted this was his first experience with the injury that he had.
He also spoke in future terms regarding his current status and that of his balky ankle, which he first injured in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.
J.J. McCarthy Gets Honest About Ankle Injury After Return to Vikings Practice
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up against the Atlanta Falcons.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted on X on October 15 that his “biggest takeaway” from McCarthy’s media availability was the Vikings’ QB’s comments about his ankle.
McCarthy was limited while Wentz was a full participant in practice on the Vikings’ report.
“The way it felt, it’s kind of uncertain. I’ve never felt a high ankle before. I’ve had low ankles. But just based off of what a lot of well-respected second opinions have said. They said it’s four to six, two to six, all this stuff. So, I feel like it was going to be in that range. And we’re still in that range, and it’s unfortunate, and they’re really annoying injuries. But yeah, we’re just continuing to work to get to 100% as quick as possible,” McCarthy told reporters on October 15.
“Ankle is – it’s getting there. I wouldn’t say it’s 100% right now, but we’re striving every day to get there as fast as possible.”
McCarthy was first spotted on the practice field on October 13.
“Me selfishly, I’m going to play if it was off or not. But we got to be smart here and understand there’s a lot of things that go into place. And at the end of the day, I’m just going to do what I’m told and try to get better as fast as possible,” McCarthy told one reporter who asked if he felt he could play, before fielding a question about whether he believed he would be cleared to play.
“I really don’t know. Yeah. At the end of the day, I don’t know what I’m having for dinner tonight. So, I just try to stay moment by moment. But I trust that they’re going to do the best thing possible for this team and for the longevity of my career.”
J.J. McCarthy Gives Insight Into Recovery From Ankle Injury
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
McCarthy, who has completed 58.5% of his passes for 301 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions this season, was supposed to run the scout team for the Vikings during their trip to London over the past two weeks.
He said that did not happen, but he did work on fundamentals with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown on the side.
McCarthy said it was really hard” to say if any of those “slipped” while he was sidelined, “just because my ankle isn’t 100%. So, it’s like you’re battling that mental hurdle. You’re battling “how inhibited am I to perform the certain movement.” So, it’s really hard to say if it’s slipped or not. But it’s one of those things where it’s just a seesaw for the rest of your career.
“It’s going to be fine-tuning regardless of how well you perform or how well you don’t.”
McCarthy also spoke about how Vikings vice president, player health and performance, Tyler Williams, has helped him.
“What Tyler has been saying in the training room, it’s all about stressing these and making sure you put it in a situation where it’s like, ‘Oo, I felt that,’ and I know I’m fine after feeling that<” McCarthy said. “You just kind of keep pressing that bandwidth of pain tolerance and mobility of that muscle, joint, whatever it is that you’re trying to heal up. So, yeah.”
J.J. McCarthy Planning to Be Wiser
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Atlanta Falcons.
McCarthy said the injury will impact how he plays, pointing to a more measured approach to operating the Vikings’ offense.
The idea is one O’Connell has expressed for Wentz: self-preservation.
“Just understanding the situation of the game. Is it fourth and one where I should go run through someone, or is it second-and-15, and I’m getting close to the sideline, and get out, 3 yards earlier instead of try to get those extra 3 yards,” McCarthy said.
“Little decisions when I have the ball in my hand in open space to get down and protect myself more. That’s going to be something I’m definitely going to work on.”
Whenever McCarthy returns for the Vikings, he is aiming to be as prepared as possible.
Broncos best option to start alongside Dre Greenlaw is painfully obvious
The Denver Broncos announced that they have designated inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw to return from the Injured Reserve list, where he has been since Week 3 due to a quad injury. Broncos Country finally got the injury update they have been waiting for. One of their top free-agent acquisitions is closer to making his debut in orange and blue. Will it be on Sunday against the Giants? We do not know, but the good news is that he is back in practice and did not have any setbacks.
One of Denver's top priorities heading into the offseason was the inside linebacker position. They addressed it in free agency by signing former 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a 3-year, $34 million deal. Greenlaw is a force in the middle of the defense when healthy. In 64 games over six years with San Francisco, he recorded 455 tackles, 3 interceptions, 14 pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Greenlaw is an experienced linebacker who will bring a lot of energy to this young Broncos defense led by Vance Joseph. It's a significant upgrade when he's on the field compared to what the team has had recently.
Dre Greenlaw's return leads to a big and very important question...Who starts alongside him?
Broncos' best option to start alongside Dre Greenlaw is Justin Strnad
Greenlaw, when healthy, is a monster. He should be an instant starter at the inside linebacker position. Now the big question is who starts alongside him. My answer would be Cody Barton, but he left Denver in free agency and signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. This leads to veterans Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad (the actual starting tandem).
Singleton is an experienced veteran who is very liked inside Denver's locker room. He is a team captain and currently leads the Broncos in tackles with 51. The concern with Singleton is that he is getting older and is coming back from a Torn ACL suffered in Week 3 of the 2024-25 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite leading the team in tackles, Singleton looks slow, which makes sense following that injury, and has been burnt by opposing players, noting significantly Saquon Barkley's touchdown in week 5 on a wheel route. Singleton has missed lots of tackles.
On the other hand, there is Justin Strnad, who, believe it or not, has been one of the team's breakout players so far in the 2025-26 season. He currently has 3.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. He is a solid inside linebacker who, in the past, was a solid special teams player at best, and now, in my opinion, he is the one who should start alongside Dre Greenlaw. Strnad is a more dynamic and faster player compared to Singleton. I would not be surprised if Denver tries to trade Singleton, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Denver has Drew Sanders, who is currently injured, and also has Levelle Bailey and Karene Reid.
