J.J. McCarthy Inches Back into the Fold
J.J. McCarthy has missed the Minnesota Vikings’ last two games with a high ankle sprain, but the tea leaves are starting to align for a return sooner rather than later. Head coach Kevin O’Connell believes the 22-year-old passer may practice this week, setting in motion a return to the field after the team’s Week 6 bye.
The QB1 for the Minnesota Vikings, J.J. McCarthy, eyes a return after a high ankle sprain, and the process could take a next step this week.
The young quarterback didn’t play at all during his rookie season, so getting on the field for the majority of 2025 is of the utmost importance.
Get Ready for a J.J. McCarthy Reemergence Sometime Soon after the Bye
It’ll be go-time for McCarthy before too long.
Kevin O’Connell Envisions Limited Practice for J.J. McCarthy This Week
Last weekend, NFL Network claimed that McCarthy could “work with the scout team” at practice in London. On Monday, O’Connell provided additional details.
“As we get into Thursday and Friday, I’m hoping we can at least get him out there. And get him taking some drops, and starting to get back into the normal rhythm,” O’Connell told reporters.
It’s a phenomenal sign for McCarthy, who authored a terrible outing in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons. The youngster played so poorly that some fans began to wonder if switching to Carson Wentz for the long haul in 2025 might be a wiser option. Since, Wentz has proven to play like a true backup quarterback, and the widespread consensus is that McCarthy should regain his job and continue his on-field maturation.
O’Connell’s remarks confirm that is close to fruition.
A Ramp Up with the Week 6 Bye
McCarthy’s return to practice this week, albeit in small increments, can still be considered fantastic timing. If one assumes that he sees the practice field on Thursday, he’ll have 16 days before the lights shine bright on Eagles at Vikings in Week 7.
High ankle sprains are notoriously tricky to pinpoint for returns to the field, but if McCarthy begins testing the leg this week, it’s not unreasonable to suggest his game-readiness in two weeks.
So, yes, the early-season bye may actually empower Minnesota this go-round. Fans typically see the early bye when the schedule is first released — and groan. The 2025 campaign is a different story.
Carson Wentz in the Meantime
Until McCarthy’s return, Minnesota will remain committed to veteran passer Carson Wentz, who has performed at an average clip through two games.
He ranks 12th leaguewide of 35 qualifying quarterbacks per EPA+CPOE, while his ESPN QBR is pretty terrible at 38.7, which ranks 29th of 33 passers. For context per QBR, Carolina Panthers signal-caller Bryce Young has outperformed Wentz.
Thankfully, Wentz moves the ball down the field and should keep Minnesota’s offense afloat until McCarthy’s return. He’ll face a stingy defense this weekend in London, as Minnesota faces the Cleveland Browns, a club hungry to attack a Vikings offensive line that injuries have decimated.
A Triumphant Return when the Schedule Gets Wild?
It’s also worth noting that McCarthy will likely return when the season’s stakes turn all the way up. Out of the gate in 2025, Minnesota has faced the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers — all fairly average opponents. The Browns, despite a mean defense, fit the criteria, too.
If McCarthy is ready for Week 7, he’ll hop into the huddle and immediately face the Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Baltimore Ravens — a ruthless gauntlet for any quarterback but especially a 22-year-0ld who played like garbage in his last start.
McCarthy will have the chance to turn a reeling, mediocre season into a playoff-contending adventure — if he has the chops for the task.
Other McCarthy Perspectives
Newsweek‘s Evan Massey noted on McCarthy’s impending return: “As shared by the team’s official X account, the hope remains that McCarthy will return to practice this week ahead of the Browns game. The team also gave other injury updates in the post. Prior to the injury, McCarthy played in the Vikings’ first two games of the season. He led the team to a 1-1 record in those outings.”
“As for his production, McCarthy completed 58.5 percent of his pass attempts for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also ran for 50 yards and a score on the ground. There is still a lot of work for the young quarterback to do in order to become a legitimate franchise quarterback. McCarthy has shown some good flashes, but like most young players has also had some bad moments.”
With McCarthy and Wentz in charge, the Vikings have managed to tally the NFL’s fourth-worst offense per DVOA.
“In the meantime, Minnesota is facing what could be a tough decision on whether or not to start McCarthy or to keep Wentz on the field. More updates are sure to come out about McCarthy’s status as the week progresses on,” Massey continued.
“For now, it sounds like he should be back on the practice field at some point this week, which will have head coach Kevin O’Connell needing to make a quarterback decision by Sunday morning.”
All eyes will turn to McCarthy’s progress during the bye week, which is six days away.
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