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Vikings Rule J.J. McCarthy Out for Chargers Game With Wentz Starting

O’Connell set benchmarks of pain‑free pocket movement, self‑protective athleticism, and full‑game effectiveness before clearing the rookie.

Overview

  • After a Tuesday workout, coaches concluded McCarthy is "not there yet" in his recovery from a right high‑ankle sprain and listed him as the emergency third quarterback for Thursday.
  • Minnesota will reassess during a normal practice week, with the Nov. 2 game at Detroit identified as the earliest potential return if he meets the functional thresholds.
  • Carson Wentz starts on the short week against the Chargers, with Max Brosmer as the backup.
  • O’Connell emphasized reactionary movement in the pocket without pain, the ability to use athleticism to protect himself, and sustained effectiveness over 60 minutes as clearance criteria.
  • The team opened running back Aaron Jones’s 21‑day practice window, and his availability for Thursday remains under evaluation.