First Vikings Practice of Week 7 Reveals Latest Injury Updates

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J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings are back in action on Sunday after having a week off to recharge from their European adventure. Thankfully there were no shenanigans with the downtime, and the team is now back in the building and ready to work.

Kevin O’Connell’s squad has consistently been beat up through the first five games of the season. They are now trending towards a cleaner bill of health, and he provided clarity on the injury status of multiple players on Monday.

JJ McCarthy back on the field for Minnesota Vikings

MN Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been on the sidelines after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons. He made the trip overseas with the intention of returning to practice, but that didn’t happen. He did get work in during the bye week, and is officially on the practice field this week.

“We had some good work last week. It was great to get back on the grass and head some good sessions out there…Very excited to get him back officially practicing. I don’t necessarily want to put a percentage on where I think he’s at health wise.”

Kevin O’Connell

The Vikings head coach talked about working with McCarthy on foundational throwing principles, and building back from the ground up. O’Connell wants to stress different ways to find success for his young quarterback, and being able to work with him in a practice capacity again continues to provide a path for that development.

It remains to be seen what the situation will look like on Sunday. Reports have varied as to where he is at from a health perspective. Carson Wentz will also be practicing after dealing with a non-throwing shoulder injury. He is doing better, but consistent hits have put a strain on him physically.

Minnesota welcomes the Philadelphia Eagles to U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday and who is under center could be a question mark until late in the week.

Blake Cashman eyeing return to Vikings defense

Linebacker Blake Cashman has spent the past four weeks on injured reserve and his absence has certainly been felt. Ivan Pace Jr. has struggled, and veteran Eric Wilson has done his best to hold down the fort. Cashman had his practice window opened on Monday, and he’ll be on the field looking to get back in game action.

“Blake Cashman’s window will open up today. We’ll go out for some on-field work today to kind of get the week kicked off. We’ll also have Donovan Jackson, Michael Jurgens, Brian O’Neill, and J.J. McCarthy taking part in the work today, as well as throughout the week. It will be great to get Cash back on the practice field, opening that window up. He’s done a heckuva job getting himself ready to go. Give him the week of preparation and see where he’s at towards the tail end of the week.”

Kevin O’Connell

Cashman played 14 games for the Vikings last year in his first season after signing as a free agent. Injuries have marred his career, and he was placed on injured reserve after Week 1 this season. He is of significant importance to the Vikings front seven as the green dot on defense and a talented leader.

It’s a positive outcome that Cashman may wind up missing the minimum and could be back on the field against Philadelphia. Being joined by O’Neill, Jackson, and Jurgens is also a positive from the offensive side of things.

The Minnesota Vikings starting offensive line hasn’t played together all year. They’ll still be down center Ryan Kelly, but if that trio can get back on the field together, then whoever is under center will have the best opportunity for success that we have seen to date.

O’Connell did note that edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel will be working on a side field during practice. He continues to deal with a neck injury and the timeline there is murky at best.

As practices go on this week, the injury report will be key to continue monitoring ahead of Sunday’s showdown. The Eagles are coming off two straight losses, and they just abruptly lost pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to retirement.

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