Vikings QB Situation Suddenly Looks Crystal Clear
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy used the last few weeks to heal a high ankle sprain, and because his timeline to return was up in the air, uncertainty at the sport’s most important position loomed. Now, that appears to be over.
The Minnesota Vikings take on the Detroit Lions in six days, and all of a sudden, the Vikings QB1 mysteries from the last few weeks have died — probably for good.
McCarthy is firmly in line to start this weekend at Ford Field against the Detroit Lions, his first game since September 14th. It’s really not a thing this week, wondering “McCarthy or Wentz?” after Carson Wentz started the last five games.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy on Deck to Start in Week 9
Alas, the team’s one big hope seems to be back.
McCarthy Back? The Commonly Agreed Upon Answer Is Yes.
McCarthy reclaiming his post this weekend has become an accepted fact as of Monday, October 27th.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis wrote, “J.J. McCarthy is in position to return as the Minnesota Vikings’ starter next week in Detroit against the Lions. McCarthy has missed five games with a high ankle sprain. Coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday morning that he ‘feels positive’ about where McCarthy is from a health standpoint.”
“From the outset, since McCarthy reported significant soreness in his right ankle following the 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 14, the Vikings have prioritized his long-term availability and effectiveness. They didn’t want to rush him back. Risking re-injury or substandard performance would only further delay a season that was always going to hinge on his development.”
Onlookers will await absolute re-confirmation from O’Connell — that could arrive as early as Monday afternoon — but McCarthy has been seemingly green-lit to play.
Carson Wentz to QB2
After five weeks of service — and merciless beatings — Wentz is on deck to embark on the role he signed on for at the end of August: the backup quarterback.
Wentz guided Minnesota to a 2-3 record, taking his lumps with an injury-riddled offensive line, failing to see open receivers too frequently, and turning the ball over a bit much for most fans’ liking. He did, though, rack up oodles of passing yards, unafraid to rear back and fling it.
Max Brosmer, who Minnesota absolutely refused to insert into last week’s game until garbage time, will presumably remain at QB3.
McCarthy Returns to Strange Team in a Strange Season
The Vikings’ season sprinted to a weird start, almost immediately when the post-Week-1 injury report featured many impactful injuries. McCarthy then joined the injury club, suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2, an injury many onlookers have confused with a standard ankle injury.
Meanwhile, injuries aren’t the sole culprit. Minnesota’s defense has tumbled after the bye week, looking like an utter mess in Week 8 and causing fans to question whether defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been “figured out.” Defense was a purple calling card amid the last three seasons, but now some wonder if the group is just suddenly bad.
The team that was once speculated to be an autopilot squad for a 22-year-old quarterback now needs the 22-year-old quarterback to inject life into the enterprise or risk a losing, lousy season.
Rest of the Season Is about Him and His Development
No matter what — ending with a 10-7 or 4-13 record or something in between — the rest of the season is about McCarthy’s development. He missed his rookie year with a torn meniscus and now five games with the high ankle sprain. He can’t miss more games. Another injury would bring into focus a serious conversation about his durability for the long haul.
Above all else, McCarthy needs snaps and experience over the next 10 games. It’s the most important thing going for Vikings football.
Thankfully, according to the widespread consensus, that process will resume in six days.
Other McCarthy Takes
The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick noted on McCarthy’s impending return, “For those who put any ounce of belief in the theory that Minnesota has been ‘soft benching’ McCarthy for the last few weeks, choosing to bring him back on the road against a 5-2 Lions team would seem to debunk all of those thoughts.”
“Having him start against one of this season’s top teams in the NFL wouldn’t make a ton of sense if the Vikings wanted to make his return as easy as possible, would it? But that’s never what McCarthy’s absence was about. From the very start of his recovery process, Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell emphasized over and over again that he wanted his 22-year-old quarterback to be 100 percent healthy before starting again so that his injury wouldn’t have any impact on his mechanics and fundamentals.”
Minnesota is expected to lose by nine or ten points at Detroit.
Patrick concluded, “McCarthy’s health is clearly where the Vikings want it to be, and next Sunday, they are hoping he can help get the team’s season back on track with a win in a state where he spent making a name for himself during his college career at Michigan.”
McCarthy has never lost a game in the state of Michigan.
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