Kevin Seifert
LOS ANGELES — The Minnesota Vikings seem like clearing the way in which for J.J. McCarthy to return as their beginning quarterback subsequent week after a six-week restoration from a excessive proper ankle sprain.
McCarthy has served because the Vikings' emergency third quarterback for 2 consecutive video games, together with Thursday evening's 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Afterward, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell reaffirmed his dedication to getting McCarthy again on the sector as quickly as doable.
“If J.J. is wholesome, J.J. will play,” O'Connell mentioned. “That is been the case because the harm. That is all the time been type of my mindset, and I imagine we're proper — hopefully — across the nook from seeing him be wholesome, have every week of preparation and go compete.”
McCarthy began the Vikings' first two video games of the season however reported important soreness in his proper ankle the morning after a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 14. O'Connell initially categorized McCarthy's standing as “week-to-week,” and McCarthy later mentioned he acquired a timetable of as much as six weeks for a full restoration. The Vikings put him via a exercise Tuesday at their apply facility to see if enjoying in opposition to the Chargers was an possibility, however O'Connell mentioned: “J.J. and the medical workers did not fairly really feel like he was there but.”
With a “mini-bye” this weekend, after which an additional apply scheduled for Monday, the Vikings will give McCarthy a full runway to transition again to the beginning position in time for his or her Nov. 2 sport on the Detroit Lions.
Backup Carson Wentz has began 5 video games in McCarthy's place, compiling a 2-3 file, however has been enjoying with a big left shoulder harm that had him in apparent misery Thursday evening. He mentioned it “fairly presumably” was probably the most ache he has been in throughout a soccer sport, and attributed it largely to his shortened restoration time due to a Thursday evening sport.
The Vikings' medical workers fitted him with a shoulder harness and several other different protecting wraps, which Wentz mentioned he had by no means worn “something remotely near” with a purpose to play. He completed 15-of-27 for 144 yards with 1 landing and 1 interception. He took 5 sacks and was hit eight occasions. After taking successful on a fourth-down incompletion within the fourth quarter, Wentz threw his helmet on the bench — for which he later apologized to the staff's tools workers — and lined his face with a towel.
“The ache is ache,” Wentz mentioned. “I felt like I may nonetheless assist this staff and discover a option to go down and rating and all that stuff. So we knew that coming into the sport, that it was going to be a part of it. And once more, that is the robust a part of Thursday evening video games. [You] simply do not fairly get the prospect to get better, however that is no excuse by any means.”
O'Connell mentioned he was in fixed dialog with Wentz and the staff's medical workers however by no means thought he wanted to interchange him till the sport was out of attain. With McCarthy designated the emergency quarterback, the primary out there possibility by rule would have been undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.
Brosmer did not enter the sport till 1 minute, 56 seconds remained.
“Carson's a veteran participant,” O'Connell mentioned, “and he understands a few of our circumstances tonight. I believe it is very troublesome to ask a rookie to go in there for his first efficiency and should be weathering it a bit of bit for the group.”
