There’s a New J.J. McCarthy Report
The Minnesota Vikings have recently looked like a program without direction, having accumulated a 3-4 record through the first eight weeks of the NFL season. Neither the offense nor the defense has been particularly consistent, or let’s be honest, good. Skol Nation hopes that one man’s return can make a difference.
There’s a New J.J. McCarthy Report
He surely wouldn’t have made a difference in Thursday’s debacle versus the Los Angeles Chargers, but the NFL is a week-to-week business, and the next game will start at 0-0.
Between the Chargers game and the road contest in Detroit, the Vikings have an extra half week to prepare and get J.J. McCarthy back onto the football field following his five-game absence. His high ankle sprain has lingered, but he seems to be on track to start next Sunday.
On Sunday, one week away from the divisional showdown, premier report Ian Rapoport delivered the latest on Minnesota’s passer: “The Minnesota Vikings are expected to get J.J. McCarthy, their starting quarterback to begin the season, back for their next game. That is against the Lions in Week 9. What the Vikings wanted to do was make sure when McCarthy was out there, he was fully healthy and ready to go, had enough practices to prepare, and was healthy.”
Carson Wentz has been the starter for more than a month. He snatched two wins, over the Bengals and Browns, while losing three other games. Recently, he’s been dealing with a shoulder injury, and he took quite the beating against the Chargers. His play has left a lot to be desired.
“This is now going to be seven weeks after a high-ankle sprain. It is time, assuming health-wise, he is all good. J.J. McCarthy back as the starter,” Rapoport concluded.
Sunday marked six weeks since the injury, which is a pretty typical timeline for a high ankle sprain.
After the latest loss, head coach Kevin O’Connell clarified, “If J.J. is healthy, J.J. will play. That’s been the case since the injury. That’s always been kind of my mindset, and I believe we’re right—hopefully—around the corner from seeing him be healthy, have a week of preparation and go compete.”
There’s a good chance McCarthy’s development throughout the final ten games of the season will be the main reason to tune in on Sundays, as the Lions are slowly marching away with the NFC North crown for a third straight season.
In his first two outings, McCarthy hasn’t looked sharp at all for seven of the eight quarters, but he was fantastic in the final quarter of his NFL debut, in which he found paydirt three times.
Presumably, McCarthy will get a full week of practice ahead of his third NFL game, which is expected to take place in Michigan, where he spent his college career and celebrated the national championship.
He’ll benefit from having every top weapon on the roster available. In his first two games, he didn’t have Jordan Addison, with whom he has found a connection in training camp. Furthermore, Kevin O’Connell was quite optimistic about Brian O’Neill’s and Christian Darrisaw’s health. They combined for nine snaps on Thursday, but the two top blockers are expected to return in Week 9.
The only starter that won’t be there is center Ryan Kelly, who landed on IR following his second concussion of the season.
Get ready for some McCarthy ball.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.