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As the Vikings prepare to face the Lions in nine days, the article argues it’s time to start J.J. McCarthy. His high ankle sprain was pegged at 4–6 weeks; Week 9 lands seven weeks after the injury, and he has already been the emergency quarterback for two games. With past injuries raising durability questions and a roster not as strong as in 2024, the piece says Minnesota must evaluate him now—playoffs are possible, but this isn’t a Super Bowl team. The message: sink or swim, gather data for 2026, and stop delaying the decision.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.