Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and head coach Kevin O'Connell react before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the November 13th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Answer: No. Not one bit worried.
The internet got bogged down in an “injection vs. surgery” debate because of some media outlets’ word choices.
“As his rehab has picked up, we noticed a little swelling in there, and just with the time that we do have … we just wanted to make sure there was no cause for concern. All reports were very positive, and he’s on the original timetable and in good shape,” O’Connell told reporters Wednesday.
McCarthy’s recovery timeline was not altered. The surgery wasn’t an emergency, unforeseen thing.
Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling added about the budding controversy: “Source confirmed ESPN’s Kevin Seifert’s report that J.J. McCarthy had a biologic injection to deal with intermittent swelling in his knee. No change to his recovery timeline. To be clear: Source said it was just an injection for McCarthy. No second surgery.”
He will be fine. All things considered, battling back from a meniscus injury really isn’t the worst injury in sports. The injury to T.J. Hockenson or Christian Darrisaw, for example, was more serious.
Answer: Vikings over Titans, 27-17.
The Titans are similar to the Colts a couple of weeks ago; they’re a mediocre team. In theory, Brian Flores’ defense should feast on Will Levis. His men are at their best against inexperienced quarterbacks.
Sam Darnold should bounce back and avoid an interception festival. If he does not, Vikings football will feel quite hopeless.
Answer: This one is debatable.
It won’t be weird if Romo misses a kick or two — until last week, he was totally unproven — but he’s already proven his mettle last Sunday at Jacksonville. The man kicked flawlessly in a game … when the team needed him to perform flawlessly.
Will Reichard is the guy for the long haul, but guess what? The Vikings can have two good kickers in the same season. That’s allowed.
We trust Romo, but not quite as much as Reichard.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.