Minnesota Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy is set to return as the team’s starter for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2.
Naturally, Vikings fans are growing quite eager to see what McCarthy can do with an extended period of play at the NFL level. Fortunately, barring any future injuries for McCarthy, the young signal caller will now have a chance to take control under center moving forward.
On Wednesday, McCarthy practiced in full for the first time since his injury. As a result, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said that he has seen enough from his second-year quarterback for him to officially name him the team’s Week 9 starter against the Lions.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 23: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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Speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s practice, McCarthy addressed the current state of his ankle, saying that he is finally feeling like himself and that he is “ready to go” for Sunday’s game.
“Ready to go,” said McCarthy, via ESPN Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert. “I feel like myself again. I feel like I have those mobility things that I was concerned about going into last week and the prior weeks. So yeah, ready to go.”
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said there is nothing left for J.J. McCarthy to demonstrate to show that he's healthy enough to play Sunday in Detroit. He'll be the starter.— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 29, 2025
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Given the fact that every team in the NFC North is over .500 aside from the Vikings, Sunday’s game certainly seems like a crucial one for Minnesota to win to keep pace in the division. With that in mind, it is certainly encouraging to see that McCarthy seems to be in a great place physically ahead of the important game.
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