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5 hours ago
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The Minnesota Vikings once again won't have J.J. McCarthy under center in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
McCarthy hasn't been on the field since Week 2, when he suffered a high-ankle sprain that has kept him out of action ever since. Carson Wentz has started in McCarthy's stead and the Vikings are 2-2 with the veteran signal-caller.
The second-year quarterback has now missed five games in a row, but there is hope he can make his return to the field in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. Here's what we know.
Will J.J. McCarthy return in Week 9?
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, McCarthy, who logged three limited practice this week, has a chance to play in Week 9.
"When Vikings QB JJ McCarthy suffered a Week 2 high ankle sprain, doctors expected it to be a six-week injury," Schefter wrote. "Nothing has changed. It still looks like a six-week injury, which means McCarthy would miss next week, and possibly be able to return in Week 9 at Detroit."
If McCarthy takes the full six weeks, that would put his return at Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens.
However, with head coach Kevin O'Connell revealing that McCarthy might've played if the Vikings' Week 8 game was on a Sunday, that lends to the idea the Michigan product will return in Week 9.
"Earlier this morning, we did put J.J. McCarthy through an on-field workout just to see if he had a chance to make it this week," O'Connell said. "J.J., the medical staff, myself, we're all encouraged about where he's at and the progress he's making, but he's just not there," O'Connell said during the week.
"And if this was a Sunday game, maybe it would be a little bit of a different story, and we could push it throughout the week and see where he's at toward the end of the week."
Another positive sign for McCarthy's Week 9 status is the fact that the Vikings have him serving as the emergency third quarterback for a second straight week. If he wasn't close, the Vikings wouldn't be doing that with McCarthy.
It's very clear the Vikings are not pushing it with their young quarterback and are going to wait until he's fully healthy before putting him out there.
The next injury update for McCarthy will likely come at the top of next week, so we'll know more then.
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