Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy in ‘Next Phase’ of Rehab, but Ankle Still Not Fully Healed

Alright, Vikings fans, let’s get a quick update on our rookie quarterback, J.J. McCarthy. It sounds like he’s making progress in his recovery from that sprained ankle, but don’t expect to see him sprinting onto the field just yet. Head coach Kevin O’Connell gave us the lowdown on Wednesday, saying that McCarthy is about to get "a little bit more active" in his rehab.

Now, before you start dreaming of McCarthy leading the charge against the Browns this Sunday, let’s pump the brakes a bit. Carson Wentz is still the guy under center for that game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Wentz has been holding down the fort, and the team isn’t about to rush McCarthy back before he’s 100%.

McCarthy’s Road to Recovery

Remember, McCarthy had knee surgery that sidelined him for his entire rookie season. So, the Vikings are being extra cautious with his ankle. O’Connell emphasized that they’re "working his way back" and that he’s "entering the next phase of his rehab." This means he’ll be able to do more on the field, but it’s still a gradual process.

O’Connell sounds optimistic about getting McCarthy back in action soon. He mentioned looking forward to having him back on the practice field with the team. But he also stressed the importance of letting that high ankle sprain fully heal. No one wants a repeat injury that sets him back even further.

"We want to be really smart and make sure we let that high ankle fully heal," O’Connell said. "Then he can really start attacking it and working his technique and fundamentals and get re-acclimated, which I think he’ll do pretty quickly."

That last part is encouraging. O’Connell seems confident that McCarthy will be able to pick things up quickly once he’s cleared to go full throttle. But patience is key here.

Bye Week on the Horizon

The Vikings have a bye week coming up next week, which is perfect timing for McCarthy. It gives him extra time to rest and recover without missing any game action. After the bye, they’ll be back home to host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7. That’s a game that Vikings fans are already circling on their calendars.

Whether McCarthy will be ready to play by Week 7 remains to be seen. But the fact that he’s progressing in his rehab is definitely a positive sign.

Injury Roundup: Other Vikings Updates

While we’re on the topic of injuries, let’s take a look at some other Vikings players who are dealing with ailments:

• Andrew Van Ginkel (Neck): The linebacker missed Sunday’s game against the Steelers in Dublin due to a neck injury. And it doesn’t sound like he’ll be back on the field anytime soon. O’Connell said that Van Ginkel is "rehabbing, and he’s feeling like he’s progressing." But he’s not expected to practice this week, which means his status for the Browns game is very much in doubt.

• Michael Jurgens (Hamstring): The center didn’t practice on Wednesday because of a hamstring problem. This is especially concerning because he had been filling in for Ryan Kelly, who left Sunday’s game with a concussion. If both Kelly and Jurgens are unavailable, the Vikings will have to shuffle their offensive line once again.

• Brian O’Neill (MCL): The Vikings captain and right tackle is dealing with a sprained MCL. O’Connell described him as "week-to-week" with a potential return in Week 7. Losing O’Neill would be a significant blow to the Vikings’ offensive line. He’s a key player in both pass protection and run blocking.

• Tyler Batty (Knee) and C.J. Ham (Knee): There’s some good news on the injury front, though. The Vikings have opened the 21-day practice window for linebacker Tyler Batty and fullback C.J. Ham, both of whom have been recovering from knee injuries. Both players were full participants in practice on Wednesday, which suggests that they’re close to returning to game action. Ham’s return, in particular, would be a boost to the Vikings’ running game and special teams.

The Big Picture

The Vikings are dealing with their fair share of injuries right now. But that’s part of the game. Every team goes through it. The key is to have depth and to be able to weather the storm.

The fact that McCarthy is making progress in his rehab is encouraging. He’s the future of the franchise, and getting him back on the field as soon as possible is a priority. But the Vikings also need to be smart and patient. They can’t afford to rush him back and risk another injury.