Sipu Jha
The Minnesota Vikings’ hopes for J.J. McCarthy’s breakthrough season have hit another roadblock. After missing his entire rookie year due to a knee injury, McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 against Atlanta, forcing him to sit out yet again. Fans tuning in for Thursday Night Football against the Chargers saw Carson Wentz under center, as the young quarterback continues his cautious recovery.
J.J. McCarthy Injury update : High-ankle sprain keeps QB sidelined
McCarthy is listed as inactive on Thursday but remains the emergency third quarterback, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. This marks the fifth consecutive game he will miss, though his role as the emergency QB keeps the door open if both Wentz and backup Max Brosmer were to leave the game. Initially, McCarthy’s injury was expected to keep him out for just two to three weeks, and he even finished the Atlanta game, raising hopes it was minor.Head coach Kevin O’Connell explained, “He’s just not there yet.” He added that McCarthy could have played if this week’s matchup had been on a Sunday instead of a short Thursday turnaround. “He needs to be in a state where he could do his job for 60 minutes without having any setbacks or making his job more difficult than it has to be,” O’Connell said, emphasizing the team’s cautious approach. McCarthy’s recent limited practices suggest that the Vikings are carefully pacing his return, giving him a 10-day window to prepare for Week 9 against the Detroit Lions.
What McCarthy’s return could mean for the Vikings
Through two starts this season, McCarthy completed just 58.5% of his passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. While the stats reflect growing pains, his arm strength and mobility show why Minnesota invested a top-10 draft pick in him. Wentz has performed admirably with a 2-2 record in McCarthy’s absence, but the long-term plan revolves around the young quarterback’s development.Minnesota sits at the bottom of a tight NFC North race, and a healthy McCarthy could dramatically shift their offensive outlook. His return will be closely monitored, both for his performance and durability. The Vikings are betting that patience now will pay off in stability and success later, preserving their young quarterback’s future while carefully navigating the remainder of the season.Also Read: Chargers star Keenan Allen could rewrite franchise history with record-breaking performance vs Vikings
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