By Sunday 
It’s been a long five weeks for Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who’s finally gearing up for his return to action after battling a high ankle sprain that kept him out since mid-September. Now, he’s ready to take the field again — and the timing couldn’t be better.
“I Feel Like Myself Again”
McCarthy went through his first full practice since September 12, and the relief on his face said it all.
“I feel like myself again,” he said, describing his comeback as “a little bit of a reset.”
That “reset” is coming at a critical moment for the Vikings, who’ve slipped below .500 and are desperate for some offensive spark heading into their divisional showdown with the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The Road Back
Just a week ago, McCarthy admitted he wasn’t quite ready.
“It felt like my foot was in concrete,” he said about his pregame workout before the Chargers matchup.
Now, the 22-year-old’s finally moving the way he wants to — sharp, confident, and free of hesitation. His biggest focus heading into Sunday? Footwork, rhythm, and getting back to that clean progression through reads that head coach Kevin O’Connell has been preaching.
A Fresh Start for Minnesota
McCarthy’s comeback couldn’t come at a better time. With Carson Wentz now out for the season and the Vikings searching for identity, the rookie’s energy might be exactly what this team needs.
O’Connell believes McCarthy’s progress behind the scenes is already showing.
“When he does his job at an NFL level,” O’Connell said, “there’s been some really good visual evidence of him playing quarterback.”
With a division game on the line and momentum up for grabs, Sunday might just be McCarthy’s shot to rewrite the Vikings’ story — and his own.