It looks like J.J. McCarthy will make his return to action next weekend in Detroit.
Sidelined since spraining his right ankle in the Vikings' Week 2 loss to the Falcons, McCarthy is expected to start in Week 9 against the Lions. The timetable for his recovery from the injury was a maximum of six weeks.
The national champion at Michigan and 10th overall pick in last year's draft, McCarthy has served as the Vikings' emergency third quarterback for the past two games, both of them losses with Carson Wentz under center.
"If J.J. is healthy, J.J. will play," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said after his team's 37-10 loss to the Chargers Thursday night. "That's been the case since the injury. That's always been kind of my mindset, and I believe we're right, hopefully, around the corner from seeing him be healthy, have a week of preparation and go compete."
After missing his rookie season with a knee injury that he suffered in training camp, McCarthy led the Vikings to a comeback victory in his NFL debut in Week 1 this year against the Bears, throwing two touchdowns and rushing for another, all in the fourth quarter. He was much less effective a week later while playing through his ankle injury.
The Vikings thought about starting McCarthy against the Chargers after he went through a workout Tuesday, but "J.J. and the medical staff didn't quite feel like he was there yet," said O'Connell.
He'll have 10 days to get ready for the Lions next Sunday at Ford Field.