J.J. McCarthy is in position to return as the Minnesota Vikings’ starter next week in Detroit against the Lions.
McCarthy has missed five games with a high ankle sprain. Coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday morning that he “feels positive” about where McCarthy is from a health standpoint.
“He got some work today,” O’Connell said, “and he will hopefully get some work throughout the early part of the week, which will lead him into a full week of preparation.”
From the outset, since McCarthy reported significant soreness in his right ankle following the 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 14, the Vikings have prioritized his long-term availability and effectiveness. They didn’t want to rush him back. Risking re-injury or substandard performance would only further delay a season that was always going to hinge on his development.
Monday will mark six weeks since the injury was first announced. That tracks with the original four-to-six-week timetable deemed necessary for McCarthy to recover optimally.
The Vikings placed McCarthy through a rigorous workout last week. Soreness remained, so the team chose not to push the envelope ahead of Thursday night’s debacle against the Los Angeles Chargers. O’Connell has also been open about his belief that McCarthy would be best served with an extensive week of preparation.
There is a mechanics piece to this time period as well. McCarthy’s footwork was not up to snuff in Week 2 against the Falcons, although the injury may have factored into his movements. Regardless, O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown allocated meaningful time during the bye week to drill down in practice sessions with McCarthy, coveting accuracy and consistency.
“For J.J.,” O’Connell said, “it’s going to be about the commitment that he’s made throughout his rehab of getting back to those concrete fundamentals and techniques that allow his feet and eyes to work together and find completions to any one of our five eligibles, whether it’s a receiver or T.J. (Hockenson) or even Aaron Jones or Jordan (Mason) or Zay (Zavier Scott) out of the backfield.”
To synthesize O’Connell’s words, this is about rhythm. The Vikings want McCarthy to play within the timing of the play. The easiest way to do that, especially as he’s acclimating to NFL speed, is to be keenly aware of where his feet and eyes need to be positioned in the three seconds after the snap.
Perhaps the most glaring issue this season for the Vikings is how often the quarterbacks have taken sacks. Only the New York Jets (31) and Tennessee Titans (30) have been sacked more than the Vikings (28).
The offensive line plays a role in the pressure-dooming snaps. Fortunately for McCarthy, elite left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who has taken himself out in two of the last three games due to lingering knee maintenance, and trusted right tackle Brian O’Neill, who missed Thursday night’s game with soreness in his left knee, are in line to return to more full workloads.
“I do feel positive about where both Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw are today,” O’Connell said, “and hopefully in regards to their work weeks next week and leading into them being available (in Detroit).”
Barring a setback from a health standpoint, McCarthy will lead a Vikings team that has been reeling. They’ve lost two straight. Neither the offense nor the defense has lived up to preseason expectations. Responding against a Lions team that has won five straight against them won’t be easy. It’s also worth noting that the Lions’ defense ranks near the top 10 in almost every meaningful defensive metric.