Vikings get timeline update on J.J. McCarthy’s return

The Minnesota Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy out of the University of Michigan with their first-round pick two years ago. After missing all of last season with an injury, he's played two games this season, looking promising at times, but now he's sidelined again with an ankle injury. 

The Vikings defeated the Chicago Bears in Week 1, where McCarthy looked really well-developed as a quarterback. However, in week two against the Atlanta Falcons, he looked rather pedestrian and hurt his ankle in the process. 

Now, Vikings fans are wondering how long the injury timeline will be until McCarthy is ready to return, and how well backup Carson Wentz plays in his absence. 

NFL insider provides J.J. McCarthy injury timeline

The good news for Vikings fans is that there has been an update in the injury timeline. 

NFL reporter Tracy Wolfson provided some insight into when McCarthy may be able to return. She noted that Minnesota did not put him on IR because that would mean he'd have to miss at least four games, but he will travel with the team to Europe and continue to rehab/practice. 

Wolfson noted that McCarthy could be eyeing a return against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings have a bye week after their fifth game of the season against the Browns.

It will be a really interesting development if the Vikings, who are loaded with offensive talent, can pick up some wins in McCarthy's absence. 

McCarthy has 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in the two games he's played this season. He's added a handful of yards on the ground as well, but some are starting to question his ability to be a pure passer in the NFL.