It didn’t take long for rumors to spread after Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy missed six games due to injury. Questions have been swirling over whether it is a serious injury or if head coach Kevin O’Connell is simply being cautious. After the 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, anticipation is building over whether McCarthy will finally reclaim the starting role in Week 9.

As per veteran NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Minnesota’s head coach plans to start McCarthy if he is healthy. “If JJ is healthy, JJ will play,” the coach said. While this suggests a likely change, nothing is confirmed until game day on November 2.

“That’s been the case since the injury,” he said. “That’s always been kind of my mindset, and I believe we’re right — hopefully — around the corner from seeing him be healthy, have a week of preparation and go compete.”

McCarthy had sustained the injury back in the 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. The coach shared that they considered starting McCarthy in the game against the Chargers. However, after he took part in practice at their facility on Tuesday (October 21), both the player and the medical staff decided against it.

The team started quarterback Carson Wentz for the game. Moreover, Albert Breer also reported that the team could have started the player. However, he shared that the team wants McCarthy to be fully healthy when he returns to the field.

“If McCarthy were 50 or 100 starts into his NFL career,” Breer said, “the Vikings might’ve decided the best course would be to have him hobbling around out there against a Chargers team that’s going to be raring to break loose of the 1–3 rut it’s in.” He continued, “As it is, the chance he goes out there and aggravates the injury, and loses confidence, makes the idea of McCarthy playing not worth it.”

There was one instance in the game when McCarthy narrowly escaped yet another injury. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson had tumbled toward the sideline and was seen rolling in the direction of the second-year quarterback. While that could have injured McCarthy’s hurting ankle, the QB quickly moved out of the way.

Now, he isn’t the only one struggling with injuries.

Carson Wentz played Week 8 in pain

Wentz was sacked five times and played through a painful left shoulder injury that aggravated in the last game. Later, quarterback Max Brosmer had taken over.

The injury issues were also due to their extremely physical game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite his effort, the Vikings’ offense struggled.

“I felt like I could still help this team and find a way to go down and score and all that stuff,” he said. “So we knew that coming into the game, that it was going to be part of it. And again, that’s the tough part of Thursday night games. [You] just don’t quite get the chance to recover, but that’s no excuse by any means.”

However, for the coach, injuries weren’t the reason behind the struggles.“It just felt like we weren’t good enough in any of our three phases tonight,” O’Connell said. He felt the team needed to improve.

“Injuries and any other excuse you can find them,” he added, “we will not be doing that.”

It remains to be seen if McCarthy can suit up soon. If not, the team will have to turn to the backup QB in Week 9, where they will face the Detroit Lions‘ fierce defense.