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JJ McCarthy Hurt or Hiding? Vikings Head Coach Responds to Rumors
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- JJ McCarthy Hurt or Hiding? Vikings Head Coach Responds to Rumors
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The Minnesota Vikings are nearing the end of a two-week road trip overseas. After a crushing loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, they'll play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in London .
Both of those games will have been quarterbacked by veteran Carson Wentz . He was installed as the starter against the Cincinnati Bengals after youngster J.J. McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain .
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota brought McCarthy overseas , and there was even talk that he could practice this week . That wasn't the case, and he's probably not healed to the point Kevin O'Connell had hoped either.
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MN Vikings QB JJ McCarthy to remain sidelined
Much of the assumption regarding quarterback J.J. McCarthy's timeline to return for Minnesota has centered around the Week 6 bye. Adam Schefter reported the injury carried a 2-to-4 week designation, but Dianna Russini is reporting that not to be the case.
The medical staff projected a four-to-six week recovery, and coach Kevin O'Connell has been clear that McCarthy won't play until he's had a full week of practice. To this point, he hasn't returned in any capacity, not even on a limited basis.
The longer timeline would have McCarthy looking at potentially Week 8. That sets up for an interesting return as the Minnesota Vikings travel to Los Angeles for a game against the Chargers . Of course they are coached by McCarthy's college coach at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh.
So far McCarthy has turned in a mixed bag. He has played in just two games and split the decisions . The young quarterback has thrown for 301 yards with a 58.5% completion rate. He has two touchdowns and three interceptions.
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O'Connell doing right by his young quarterback
There is some assumption that the Minnesota Vikings head coach is shielding McCarthy based on his readiness. That doesn't appear to be the case and Russini says that the Vikings coach isn't bringing him back until he is completely healthy.
That reality has led to some raised eyebrows around the league. A few have wondered whether Minnesota might be hiding behind McCarthy's injury to buy more time after the first-year starter struggled in Week 2 against the Falcons. But O'Connell's track record suggests otherwise. Since arriving in Minnesota, he's been transparent, steady and consistent when it comes to injury updates, never the type to play games for a competitive advantage.
Which is why questions about McCarthy's status cut against the equity O'Connell has built. He's taken the Vikings to the playoffs, developed quarterbacks and showed leadership that's earned him credibility…And O'Connell has earned the benefit of the doubt that when McCarthy is ready, when he's had a full week of practice and when he's healthy, he'll be the starter. I've been told by multiple sources that McCarthy isn't healthy, and while the target return has been Week 7 against the Eagles, it could still be longer.
It would be almost silly to believe that the Minnesota Vikings operated all offseason under the premise that McCarthy was their guy, only to change course two weeks in. McCarthy finished a lackluster game against the Falcons on a badly hurt ankle. It doesn't benefit him or the team to continue playing in that state.
Carson Wentz is going to be tasked with continuing to run the offense while McCarthy heals. He's going to do so on Sunday behind a severely banged up offensive line . Even if McCarthy isn't ready against the Eagles in Week 7, hopefully much of the starting line can return and put Minnesota in a much better spot.
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Up next for the Vikings is an 8:30 am central time game against the Cleveland Browns in London. It's a good spot to pick up a win and head home for some well-earned rest.
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