For the last two weeks, the Minnesota Vikings have taken the field without J.J. McCarthy as the team's starting quarterback. McCarthy has been sidelined due to an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 2, and he's not expected to play in the Vikings' upcoming Week 5 battle against the Cleveland Browns.
On Wednesday, Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell shared when he's hoping to get the team's young quarterback at least back on the practice field.
"My hope is soon. Sooner rather than later, we can get him at least back on an individual level, where he's throwing to our guys and working on his technique and fundamentals.
I probably would not expose him to the [team drills]. Maybe at some point, to get him some real reps, but you hope, at that point, you get him some reps back in there with the guys.
I think it's more important to just feel his footwork, and with it specifically being that back foot of his base as a right-handed thrower. Just making sure he trusts that thing to put it in the ground, and transfers his weight, and starts feeling what it's like.
It's different than just playing catch when you're standing there. These guys can all do that. It's the full-speed nature, truly stretching the field 53 and a third, and down the field as well, and the pocket movement and all of that stuff.
It'll be a process of getting him individually working towards that. He's doing some things with the trainers now that he's in that part of the rehab phase. But we're going to want to see it with cleats on the grass."
Minnesota Vikings don't provide much clarity with latest J.J. McCarthy injury update
O'Connell certainly said a lot about McCarthy's current status, but his words didn't reveal much. Basically, the Vikings head coach is hoping that the second-year quarterback can return to practice at some point in the near future, but they're not going to have him doing a lot even when he does eventually get back to practicing with the team.
It's something that O'Connell likely would never admit, but the fact that Minnesota's offensive line is currently decimated by injuries is probably playing a part in how quickly the team brings McCarthy back.
The Vikings want the young signal-caller to return to the field and resume his development, but any progress is going to be difficult to achieve if he's playing behind a starting offensive line that is primarily made up of backup players.
Heading into their Week 5 game against the Browns on Sunday, Minnesota is expected to be without left guard Donovan Jackson, center Ryan Kelly, and right tackle Brian O'Neill in the starting lineup.
There will be plenty of times in the future for McCarthy to play behind a banged-up offensive line, but currently, the Vikings want to do everything they can to make sure they are giving their young passer the best chance to succeed whenever he returns.
After their upcoming matchup against Cleveland, Minnesota will have a bye in Week 6 before returning to U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 7 to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Hopefully, during those two weeks leading up to the Eagles game, McCarthy's return timeline will become much clearer.