J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings backup quarterback, is back to full practice, a significant step after his ankle injury kept him out of their final preseason game. General Manager Nolan Teasley confirmed Wednesday that McCarthy was a full participant in practice for the last two days. That’s big news for a guy who tweaked his ankle during the second preseason game last month, but the real kicker? Teasley wouldn’t commit to McCarthy being Kyler Murray’s backup for the season opener.
McCarthy’s Quick Recovery Leaves a Question Mark
It looked like McCarthy’s ankle might be a real headache heading into Week 1. He didn’t even hit the field for the team’s last preseason matchup, which always raises alarms when you’re talking about a backup QB, especially this close to the season kick-off. But Teasley gave the update everyone was waiting for at his press conference, saying McCarthy is indeed a full go. He’s been out there fully participating in practice for the past 48 hours. That’s a rapid turnaround, and you gotta respect the grit there.
The Vikings’ Silence on Depth Behind Kyler Murray
Despite McCarthy being cleared and practicing, Teasley was pretty tight-lipped about the depth chart. He stated he expects McCarthy to be on the roster for the opener against the Packers. Great. But when pressed on whether that means he’s the actual backup, Teasley just wouldn’t bite. “I wouldn’t really necessarily comment on depth immediately,” he said, adding he’s “pleased that he’s part of the present version of the Minnesota Vikings and excited about his future.” That’s a whole lot of words to say nothing definitive about his immediate role. Carson Wentz is also on the 53-man roster, so the Vikings have options. It looks like they’re going to play it close to the vest, possibly waiting right up until they submit their inactive lists before Week 1 to reveal their plans for who stands behind Murray.
So, while McCarthy’s ankle isn’t going to sideline him for the regular season opener against the Packers, the Vikings are making us all wait to see who’s truly next in line. With Week 1 right around the corner, that kind of uncertainty in the QB room is definitely something to keep an eye on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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