Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Vikings Announce J.J. McCarthy News on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Oct 29, 2025 7:07 PM ET

J.J. McCarthy watched on as Carson Wentz and the Minnesota Vikings dropped their second-straight game, falling to 3-4 on the 2025 NFL season after a 37-10 loss to Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8's edition of "Thursday Night Football." Now, the Vikings turn their attention to Week 9, staying on the road to face Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions.

Wentz, making his fifth start in place of McCarthy, finished the night completing 15 of 27 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. However, Week 8 marked his final game of the season, as he’s set to undergo surgery after playing through a dislocated shoulder, torn labrum, and fractured socket, injuries he sustained on Oct. 5. Fortunately for Minnesota, the timing of the procedure may actually work in the team’s favor.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts after the game against the Atlanta Falcons.Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

McCarthy, the Vikings' first-round pick in last year's draft, began the 2025 season as the starting quarterback after spending his rookie year sidelined due to a torn meniscus. But in Week 2, the former Michigan Wolverines star went down with a high ankle sprain. Although Minnesota never put him on the injured reserve, McCarthy was forced to miss the next five games.

Leading up to the Week 7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, McCarthy returned to practice for the first time as a limited participant and remained limited through Week 8. However, on Wednesday, ahead of the Vikings’ matchup with the Lions, McCarthy was finally listed as a full participant in practice.

"Vikings listed J.J. McCarthy as a full participant in today’s practice," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote on X.

Vikings listed J.J. McCarthy as a full participant in today’s practice. pic.twitter.com/08yibY9cfN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2025

It certainly seems like McCarthy will be able to return against Detroit on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET. In fact, the second-year quarterback claims he's ready to play.

“Amazing. Ready to go,” McCarthy said. “I feel like myself again. I feel like I had those mobility things that I was concerned about going into last week and the prior weeks. So, yeah, ready to go.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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