Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy is in a walking boot while two offensive linemen are in concussion protocol

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is in a walking boot on his sprained ankle, coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters on Wednesday.

McCarthy, center Ryan Kelly and tackle Justin Skule did not practice Wednesday due to injuries. Kelly and Skule are among four Vikings players in the concussion protocol, along with outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and cornerback Jeff Okudah.

McCarthy, who sprained his right ankle in the loss to the Falcons, has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. The team did not place him on injured reserve, indicating his absence could be shorter than the four-game minimum required by IR.

“He’s responding well early on to treatment,” O’Connell said. “He’s in a boot and kind of letting that thing settle down when he’s not getting treatment. Still heavily involved in meetings and installs and everything.”

Which blockers are available to protect McCarthy’s replacement, Carson Wentz, remains to be seen. Kelly and Skule have started both games so far but may not be cleared to play this week. Second-year center Michael Jurgens took first-team snaps on Wednesday.

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who has yet to play this season, was a full participant in practice. He’s nearly 11 months removed from last year’s season-ending knee injury, but he’s still trying to get “comfortable,” O’Connell said.

“He’s been progressing exactly on the timeline,” O’Connell said. “Christian’s expectations and desire to be out on the field is driving everything right now, and he’s continuing to try to get to a place where ... he’s comfortable.”

O’Connell deemed it “too early” to tell whether running back Aaron Jones, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a hamstring strain, will be able to return after the minimum four-game absence required by NFL rules.

Jordan Mason, whose six career NFL starts came last year for injured 49ers running back Christian McCaffery, is in line for as many runs as O’Connell is willing to call. Mason has 24 carries for 98 yards (4.1-yard average) through two games.

“Jordan clearly has already shown his ability to be a heavy runner,” O’Connell said. “I’m not sure we could have more confidence in Jordan as a potential kind of bell-cow back.”

Two other runners will be available: Zavier Scott, who played 15 special teams snaps last week in his NFL debut, and Cam Akers, who rejoined the team this week on the practice squad. Fullback C.J. Ham and running back Ty Chandler are on injured reserve with knee injuries.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores said coaches are placing “more of an emphasis” on tackling in this week’s practices after Falcons running backs had 38 carries for 219 yards in the loss on Sunday night. This came a week after defenders struggled to bring down slippery Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.

“They’re all small things,” Flores said. “You can certainly practice it. Obviously, we’re not going to tackle anybody live to the ground. Those techniques and fundamentals that go into tackling as far as your footwork and acceleration into the ball carrier ... we’ll certainly do those things.”

Linebacker Blake Cashman, last year’s leading tackler, missed the Falcons loss while on injured reserve due to a strained hamstring. He’s out until at least the Oct. 19 game vs. the Eagles.

Fourth-year punter Ryan Wright is off to a good start after winning a training camp competition to keep his job. Wright averaged 51 yards on four punts against the Falcons. All four ended in fair catches due, in part, to fast and blanket coverage by rookie receiver Tai Felton on the perimeter.

Wright’s accurate placement and hang time have contributed to a 45.5-yard net average that ranks seventh in the NFL through two weeks.

“The talent has always been there for him,” special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said. “It’s been more so about locking in on his technique, being intentional on a daily basis in terms of what is our single focus for the day? We can’t just be going out there to punt balls. Is it our drop? Our footwork? Our lines? ... The guy has elite leg strength.”