J.J. McCarthy Injury Update Calms Concerns
The Minnesota Vikings are navigating the injury landscape as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Chicago Bears. Among the updates shared by head coach Kevin O’Connell during a Wednesday press conference was a note on quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose status has raised some eyebrows but ultimately appears to be more of a minor concern than anything else.
Bandaged Hand, No Cause for Alarm
McCarthy, who sustained an injury to his throwing hand after colliding with a helmet during a follow-through in the recent game against the Ravens, will be sporting a bandage on his hand during practice this week. However, O’Connell assured reporters that there is no significant reason for concern regarding McCarthy’s availability for the Bears game.
“Just so you guys are aware, J.J. McCarthy will have a little bandage or coverage on the top of his hand,” O’Connell explained. “He hit it on a helmet at one point, late in the game. Everything’s checked out, but we just want to ensure you are informed about what that is. Don’t see that affecting his week of preparation very much at all.”
The coach elaborated that if practice were to occur just 24 hours later, the injury might not even have been mentioned. The focus now is on managing the swelling from what is essentially a bruise, ensuring it doesn’t become a lingering issue.
Injury Report Outlook
As the week unfolds, it remains unclear whether McCarthy will officially appear on the injury report. For now, all indications suggest he will be ready to lead the Vikings against the Bears on Sunday. O’Connell’s confidence in McCarthy’s condition should ease the minds of fans who might have been worried about potential setbacks.
Updates on Other Injured Players
In addition to McCarthy’s situation, O’Connell provided updates on several other Vikings players.
Ryan Kelly’s Practice Window Opens
Starting center Ryan Kelly is set to open his practice window on Wednesday following a concussion. While this doesn’t guarantee he will return this weekend, it does provide the Vikings with a 21-day timeline to activate him from injured reserve. Kelly has been sidelined since suffering his second concussion in a brief span back in Week 4.
O’Connell noted that Kelly is responding well to his recovery protocols. “I think he really responded well to the work on the side field last week. This week is really more about getting him phased back into practice,” he said. To further ensure safety, Kelly will be wearing a new helmet along with a Guardian Cap, a precaution given his history of concussions.
Jonathan Greenard’s Status Uncertain
Meanwhile, outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard remains a question mark for the week after leaving last Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. While the Vikings avoided a severe injury, O’Connell stated that Greenard will not participate in Wednesday’s practice, placing him in a questionable category for Sunday’s game.
“He won’t participate today, but I still think he has a chance for Sunday,” O’Connell mentioned. The decision will ultimately rely on the medical staff’s assessment, emphasizing the importance of not rushing Greenard back too soon to avoid aggravating the injury.
Carson Wentz Undergoes Surgery
Additionally, the Vikings confirmed that quarterback Carson Wentz, who is out for the season, successfully underwent left shoulder surgery on Tuesday in Los Angeles. O’Connell shared that Wentz plans to return to the team’s facility soon to continue his rehabilitation.
As the Vikings navigate these injury updates, the focus remains on maintaining player health and readiness as they approach their next matchup in the competitive NFL landscape.
