It has been four weeks since J.J. McCarthy was on the field for the Minnesota Vikings, but he is getting closer to full health after the ankle injury that sidelined him. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed on Monday that McCarthy would indeed practice this week.
That garnered plenty of attention. However, it was also about as far as O’Connell was willing to go regarding McCarthy, which O’Connell was similarly revealing about Carson Wentz.
The Vikings take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7.
J.J. McCarthy Returning to Practice for Vikings, Week 7 Status Uncertain
Patrick McDermott/GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts on the sideline during the game against the Chicago Bears.
O’Connell opened his Monday afternoon media availability by announcing a slew of players would or could soon be returning to practice for the Vikings, including McCarthy.
The QB suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, a Vikings loss.
O’Connell expressed excitement about McCarthy’s return to the practice field. But the head coach remained hesitant to put any timeline on the No. 10 overall pick of the 2024 draft getting back under center as the team’s starter.
“I don’t necessarily want to put a percentage on where I think he’s at health-wise. And I think we’ll – this week will be um massive for our whole team. But just to see J.J. back out there getting reps and working through the process of building that foundation back up, and we got off to a really good start last week. I was very fortunate to get that time with him,” O’Connell told reporters on October 13.
“We’ve got to prepare to try to win a game on Sunday, and Carson as well, working with his left shoulder. He’ll practice as well. But we really want to get our team ready to go. And in the process of doing that, J.J.has his plan of attack that we want to try to make sure we maximize every single day and prepare all of our guys to be ready to go and make the best decision for our team, and then also, individually for each one of those guys as we get closer to it. But not ready to say yet exactly where he’ll be at towards the end of the week. Want to see how this week plays out first.”
McCarthy has completed 58.5% of his passes for 305 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions this season, while the Vikings are 3-2 and have gone 2-1 in McCarthy’s absence. His return is seemingly hinging upon a combination of health and his ability to get back up to speed.
Vikings Want QB, Rest of Team Fully Prepared
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 14: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings and Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings look on from the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Pressed about taking a QB decision down to the wire, O’Connell suggested it is not his plan, wanting the Vikings’ starter, whomever it may be, to get as much prep time as possible.
“There’s the decision that is the public one, and I think there’s the decision … with what we’re going to do for the game. And those two things can be on different timelines. Although I know that’s not the most comforting thing to share with you guys. But there is a feel of making sure that we’re preparing the quarterback position for the game. Knowing that we’ve won games with two different guys this year, and we’ve found a rhythm at times on offense. That, as much as that quarterback plays a huge role in it, we’ve got to make sure our offense is prepared to play with that true all-11 mindset.
“There’s still a lot of things we need to improve on to be a little bit more consistent as a team, and the quarterback position is obviously a part of that. … But at the same time, we’ve got to prepare that position just like the rest of our team, where it’s principles of playing good football that I think can be our separator. And then, we allow the health and, kind of, the readiness factor to help make, drive that decision later on in the week.”
O’Connell expressed optimism about Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman and offensive linemen Brian O’Neill, Donovan Jackson, and Michael Jurgens.
McCarthy is the key for the Vikings, though.
J.J. McCarthy Got ‘Good Work Last Week’
Patrick McDermott/GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 08: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts while playing against the Chicago Bears during the game at Soldier Field on September 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Fox Sports’ Jamie Erdahl reported in Week 4 that the Vikings had “hope” McCarthy would be able to run their scout team in Week 5. The Vikings listed McCarthy as a non-participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday last week. They ruled him out on Friday.
Still, O’Connell said the second-year passer got in “some good work” on the side. It was part of his rehab during the team’s bye. McCarthy has not practiced “officially” since Week 1.
O’Connell also explained what he wants to see from McCarthy in terms of footwork.
“It was great to get back on the grass. And had some good sessions out there. Kind of getting back to a lot of the principles of lower body mechanics and things that had been really good parts of his early journey here,” O’Connell said. “You’re allowing him to get his health back and get his feet back underneath him. But then, building that foundation of fundamentals and techniques.
“You can talk about routes and certain throws and certain plays and things like that. But it’s the foundation of throwing mechanics from the ground up that he’s really taken to since he got here.”
The Vikings do not have much reason to turn away from Wentz at this point. That is especially true if it allows them to continue developing McCarthy.
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