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J.J. McCarthy Ankle: Vikings Rest QB
By Smacktok
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy did not practice Wednesday while managing a deltoid sprain in his ankle, coach Kevin O'Connell said. ESPN's injury desk and Yardbarker both carried the rest day. O'Connell still hopes McCarthy can start Friday's preseason finale at Denver if the ankle responds over the next two days.
The injury dates to Saturday's preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens. McCarthy played the first quarter, took several hits in the pocket, and hobbled off without returning. O'Connell told reporters it is "just a deltoid sprain," not a high ankle sprain, and that McCarthy felt decent after the game before needing more treatment this week.
Will J.J. McCarthy play Friday vs the Broncos?
"We're gonna give him a rest day today to see if we can put the ankle behind him," O'Connell said, per Yardbarker. The staff split reps with Carson Wentz on Tuesday to avoid overloading him. The stated goal remains getting McCarthy "those really important reps" Friday if medical staff signs off. Wentz is expected to play either way. Max Brosmer is again lined up for second-half work.
That leaves a live quarterback competition story for fantasy and roster desks. McCarthy is still listed as the backup in much of the local coverage after uneven preseason tape. A missed Wednesday and a possible Friday scratch feed the "J.J. McCarthy ankle" search that spiked after Saturday.
What the Vikings said about the ankle
O'Connell framed Wednesday as recovery, not panic. ESPN listed McCarthy as questionable with an Aug. 28 return estimate tied to the Broncos game. Theo Johnson (shoulder) also missed Wednesday, Evan Barnes of Newsday reported, so Minnesota had more than one skill-player absence on the sheet.
The same Wednesday injury circuit already had Zay Flowers missing Ravens work. McCarthy is a young quarterback trying to lock Week 1 reps. A rest day now still leaves Friday as the live checkpoint.
J.J. McCarthy ankle FAQ
Why did J.J. McCarthy miss practice Wednesday? A deltoid sprain in his ankle from Saturday's Ravens game. O'Connell called it a rest day.
Is it a high ankle sprain? O'Connell said it is a deltoid sprain, not a high ankle sprain, according to Wednesday quotes carried by Yardbarker.
Can J.J. McCarthy start Friday at Denver? The Vikings hope so if he progresses the next two days. No final decision was announced Wednesday.
