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Vikings Delay McCarthy's Return, Raising Eyebrows
4 Oct
Summary
- Vikings coach O'Connell cautious with McCarthy's high ankle sprain
- McCarthy misses practice, return from injury uncertain
- Concerns about Vikings "soft benching" McCarthy to buy time
As of October 5th, 2025, the Minnesota Vikings and head coach Kevin O'Connell are taking a cautious approach with quarterback J.J. McCarthy's recovery from a high ankle sprain.
McCarthy suffered the injury in Week 2 and has not yet returned to full practice. On October 3rd, O'Connell held McCarthy out of practice due to rainy conditions at the team's temporary facility in London, England. This decision has led to speculation that the Vikings may be "soft benching" McCarthy to allow more time for his development.
However, O'Connell has maintained that he will not rush McCarthy back until he is fully recovered. The team's medical staff had initially projected a 4-6 week recovery timeline for the 22-year-old quarterback. With McCarthy still not participating in any capacity, his return from the injury continues to be uncertain.
The delay in McCarthy's comeback puts a damper on his development as the Vikings' new starting quarterback. His absence could prove costly, as the team faces a challenging divisional stretch in the coming weeks that could impact their playoff hopes if McCarthy is unable to find his stride upon returning.
