J.J. McCarthy is in position to return as the Minnesota Vikings’ starter next week in Detroit against the Lions. McCarthy has missed five games with a high ankle sprain. Coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday morning that he “feels positive” about where McCarthy is from a health standpoint.

That was a good old fashioned butt whuppin! Ain’t no two ways about that. I have always felt that a team will get it’s arse handed to it at least once a year. This felt like that game. I could see how folks would feel that it could happen again especially against the Lions.

Wentz, who sported a large brace on his left shoulder, took five sacks and several more hits and was seen wincing throughout the night. Wentz, filling in for J.J. McCarthy (ankle), finished 15 for 27 for 144 yards. The Vikings managed just 34 rushing yards compared to the Chargers' 207. Minnesota has lost three of four.

The Minnesota Vikings were all-in on developing quarterback J.J. McCarthy this season, after his rookie year was lost to injury, with the belief they could insulate him from some of the natural struggles of inexperience by surrounding him with a stacked veteran team and a savvy coaching staff.

The Vikings still have Jefferson locked up through 2028, but contracts don’t mean much if a player wants out. Minnesota already lost Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones in free agency, both of whom are thriving elsewhere. Now rookie J.J. McCarthy could be the next hope. Reports suggest he might start next Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

The NFL has handed down a punishment to a Minnesota Vikings player following their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7.

Can the Minnesota Vikings' defense bounce back against the Chargers after a disappointing performance in Week 7?

Jalen Hurts willed the Philadelphia Eagles to a 28-22 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, as the Eagles quarterback finished 19 of 23 for 326 yards and three touchdowns in the victory -- arguably the best game of Hurts' career.

The Gophers' annual rivalry matchup against Iowa received the pick treatment on ESPN's weekly College GameDay show. Guest picker Nate Bargatze was the only person to pick Minnesota to pull of the upset. "I've got the Hawkeyes because they're going to play good defense and just enough offense," Nick Saban said.

The injuries have piled up, as we said, but some players are making progress in their return, or have returned altogether. Here is how the injuries and practice status shook down in the report the team released on Wednesday:

The NFL referee was unintentionally hit in the face by Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, and needed treatment