Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell reveals huge injury news heading into bye week that could change everything

The Minnesota Vikings have had some of the worst injury luck this season that they've experienced in some time.

That injury luck has been a major factor in the inconsistent play we've seen on both sides of the football, but the bye week being upon us will allow them to get healed up. Head coach Kevin O'Connell gave multiple injury updates on Monday during his weekly press conference, and it's filled with good news.

"We do expect [hopefully] four players to return to practice in different capacities next week, but J.J. McCarthy, Donovan, Jackson, Blake Cashman, who will have his 21 day window opened, and Michael Juergens should be able to, you know, come back to the practice field as well," said O'Connell. "So getting some positives here at the by comes at a big time moment for us, where we've obviously had some adversity from an injury standpoint, and we'll continue to work through that."

Minnesota Vikings getting good news on the injury front

This is going to be a big deal for the Vikings, as the Philadelphia Eagles are their first game out of the bye in Week 7. Having left tackle Christian Darrisaw ready to go with the likely return of the above players will be important.

The biggest one of the above players is McCarthy, who the Vikings believe is their franchise quarterback. If he is set to return, it would fit right in the timeline The Athletic's Dianna Russini gave in her weekly Saturday column.

“Quarterback Carson Wentz will start again for the Vikings on Sunday in London against the Cleveland Browns, with J.J. McCarthy still sidelined by a high ankle sprain. The medical staff projected a four-to-six week recovery, and coach Kevin O’Connell has been clear that McCarthy won’t play until he’s had a full week of practice. To this point, he hasn’t returned in any capacity, not even on a limited basis.”

“I’ve been told by multiple sources that McCarthy isn’t healthy, and while the target return has been Week 7 against the Eagles, it could still be longer."

A high ankle sprain is something that takes longer than a standard one, and players often return either in the same game or the following week. Getting him back on the practice field is an important first step, as is making sure he has a full week of practice. It's also really important with Carson Wentz nursing a shoulder injury.

The Vikings gave more confidence that these players will be returning with the roster moves they made on Monday, waiving C Vershon Lee and releasing TE Nick Vannett.