Details emerge on J.J. McCarthy's progress, potential return to lineup

The 1-3 Cleveland Browns announced on Wednesday that they will start rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel over veteran Joe Flacco for this coming Sunday's game versus the 2-2 Minnesota Vikings. 

It sounds like Minnesota second-year pro J.J. McCarthy will remain a spectator until further notice as he recovers from an ankle sprain.

Are Vikings starting Carson Wentz or J.J. McCarthy vs. Browns?

"The table is set for Carson Wentz to get a third consecutive start for Minnesota," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler shared Wednesday morning. "J.J. McCarthy is recovering from an ankle injury, and with Minnesota in the second leg of a two-week European swing, the Vikings could use the Week 6 bye to let McCarthy reacclimate and prepare for [the Philadelphia Eagles] in Week 7. Let's see what the injury report brings -- perhaps McCarthy's injury improves quickly this week. But that's my early read on the situation."

Wentz completed 14-of-20 passes for 173 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers in Minnesota's 48-10 Week 3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. He then connected on 30-of-46 pass attempts for 350 yards with two touchdowns with two interceptions in the Vikings' 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin this past Sunday. 

Per Ken Maguire of The Associated Press, Wentz took a costly delay of game penalty with 14 seconds remaining in regulation of the Pittsburgh game. According to Pro Football Reference, Wentz ended Week 4 ranked 12th in the NFL among qualified quarterbacks with a 98.2 passer rating on the season. 

Could J.J. McCarthy practice before Browns game?

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hinted that McCarthy wasn't all that close to being cleared to face a Cleveland defense that features All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett.