Minnesota Vikings fans received hope on Monday as quarterback J.J. McCarthy returned to the practice field following the team’s bye week. The second-year signal-caller has not played since Week 2, when an ankle injury cut his 2025 season start short against the Atlanta Falcons.
While the bonus practice marked a key step in McCarthy’s recovery, his availability for Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles remains uncertain.
Will J.J. McCarthy Play in Week 7?
McCarthy missed his rookie season as a first-round pick in 2024 due to a knee injury. In 2025, he has shown flashes of potential but continues to struggle with his health. Through two starts this year, he has thrown for 301 yards with a 58.5% completion rate, and he led the Vikings to a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback in Week 1. However, his ankle setback in Week 2 derailed that momentum just as he got comfortable.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has remained non-committal about who will take the snaps this week, making the next few days of practice critical for the decision. O’Connell stressed the importance of not rushing McCarthy back into action.
“I don’t necessarily want to put a percentage on where I think he’s at health-wise,” O’Connell said of McCarthy. “I think this week we’ll be massive for our whole team, but just to see J.J. back out there getting reps and working through the process of building that foundation back up, we got off to a really good start last week.”
McCarthy was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. His status for the Week 7 game is still up in the air.
For a second straight day post-bye, Vikings QB JJ McCarthy was listed as a limited participant and Carson Wentz was listed as a full participant. pic.twitter.com/oYEqjiFDwR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 16, 2025
If McCarthy is not ready, Carson Wentz, also nursing a shoulder injury, could step in. A win over the Eagles would do more than help the Vikings in the NFC playoff hunt. It would also bolster confidence in McCarthy as the franchise quarterback, giving him a crucial opportunity to regain rhythm and leadership after two injury-marred seasons. On the other hand, another missed start would put immense pressure on Wentz or another backup to keep Minnesota competitive during a critical stretch of the season.
For now, the focus remains squarely on practice. If he passes that test, his return could give the Vikings’ offense a much-needed spark.
With a few days left until kickoff, all eyes are on McCarthy’s ankle and how he handles the team’s practice drills this week. One whole week of work could change everything, or it could keep Minnesota guessing right up until game time.
