Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson winked and smiled as he made eye contact with J.J. McCarthy walking off the indoor practice field behind a scrum of reporters the tight end was speaking to Thursday after practice.
“Yeah, there he is,” Hockenson said as McCarthy continued into the locker room, a smile also on his face following a second straight full day of practice.
McCarthy, the 22-year-old quarterback, returns to the Vikings lineup against the Lions on Sunday from a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for five games.
He practiced in full all three days this week and did not require a game status designation on Friday’s injury report. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said McCarthy looked “like himself” and came out of practices without soreness in his right ankle.
Throughout training camp ahead of McCarthy’s debut as starter against the Bears on Sept. 8, his veteran teammates touted his maturity, his leadership and his command of the huddle.
He led the Vikings to a comeback victory at Chicago but struggled the following week against the Falcons after an atypical week of practice, hurting his ankle during the game but playing through it.
None of the commentary from teammates has changed in McCarthy’s absence, during which 32-year-old veteran Carson Wentz helmed the team, winning two of his five starts.
“It’s always great having [McCarthy] in the huddle,” Hockenson said Thursday. “He brings juice, and obviously a standard. It’s a lot of fun having him out here taking all the reps and controlling the offense. ... We’re excited to have him back.”
