J.J. McCarthy's Ankle Injury: A Setback for the Vikings
'It's one of those injuries that can really set you back,' said J.J. McCarthy, acknowledging that his right ankle is not yet fully healed. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback suffered the injury in Week 2 and has been working hard to get back to 100 percent.
McCarthy's injury is a high-ankle sprain, which typically requires a recovery timeline of up to six weeks. While he's back at practice, his return to full strength is still uncertain. The team has not yet named a starter for the upcoming game, and McCarthy is leaving the decision up to the team.
'We've got to be smart here and understand there's a lot of things that go into play,' McCarthy said. 'At the end of the day, I'm just going to do what I'm told and try to get better as fast as possible.'
McCarthy's absence has been filled by Carson Wentz, who has led the team to a 2-1 record. However, with McCarthy's return still uncertain, the team is taking a cautious approach. Coach Kevin O'Connell has stated that McCarthy and Wentz will take turns with the first-team offense this week, allowing McCarthy to gradually regain his form.
'I think the big thing is just getting him back on the grass, in uniform, practicing, getting real live reps of pass rush and taking drops,' O'Connell said. 'Applying some of the things that he’s worked really hard on as of late.'
Despite the setback, McCarthy remains optimistic about his recovery. 'I’m striving every day to get there as fast as possible,' he said. 'It’s unfortunate and one of those really annoying injuries, but I’m just continuing to work to get to 100 percent as fast as possible.'
The Vikings' decision to take a cautious approach with McCarthy's return is a smart one, given the potential risks of rushing a player back from injury. While Wentz has filled in admirably, McCarthy's presence is crucial to the team's success. The question remains: when will McCarthy be ready to take back the starting role?
'We’ve got to be smart here, and understand there’s a lot of things that go into play,' McCarthy said. 'At the end of the day, I’m just going to do what I’m told and try to get better as fast as possible.'
What do you think? Will McCarthy be ready to return to 100 percent in the next week? Or will the team continue to take a cautious approach? Let us know in the comments below!
