Vikings hopeful McCarthy back for Week 9 after blowout loss - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — The Minnesota Vikings appear to be clearing the way for J.J. McCarthy to return as their starting quarterback next week after a six-week recovery from a high right ankle sprain.

McCarthy has served as the Vikings' emergency third quarterback for two consecutive games, including Thursday night's 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Afterward, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell reaffirmed his commitment to getting McCarthy back on the field as soon as possible.

«If J.J. is healthy, J.J. will play,» O'Connell said. «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.»

McCarthy started the Vikings' first two games of the season but reported significant soreness in his right ankle the morning after a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 14. O'Connell initially classified McCarthy's status as «week-to-week,» and McCarthy later said he received a timetable of up to six weeks for a full recovery. The Vikings put him through a workout Tuesday at their practice facility to see if playing against the Chargers was an option, but O'Connell said: «J.J. and the medical staff didn't quite feel like he was there yet.»

With a «mini-bye» this weekend, and then an extra practice scheduled for Monday, the Vikings will give McCarthy a full runway to transition back to the starting role in time for their Nov. 2 game at the Detroit Lions.

Backup Carson Wentz has started five games in McCarthy's place, compiling a 2-3 record, but has been playing with a significant left shoulder injury that had him in obvious distress Thursday night. He said it «quite possibly» was the most