Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy nearly took a hit to his injured right ankle during Thursday night's game.

It seems like the Minnesota Vikings are being extra cautious with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy's ankle injury. He did not play on Thursday night, marking the fifth game in a row that McCarthy was sidelined.

The postgame handshake between Michigan alums J.J. McCarthy and Jim Harbaugh after Thursday's Vikings-Chargers game sparked some buzz.

The Minnesota Vikings are optimistic that quarterback JJ McCarthy will be healthy enough to play against the Detroit Lions in Week 9.

McCarthy, who is on track to return next week in Detroit, holds the keys to creating hope for the Vikings' future.

The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly concerned about playing J.J. McCarthy with an injury because of his confusion level.

The Minnesota Vikings could be ready to turn the page back to quarterback J.J. McCarthy after six weeks without their opening-day starter. A high right ankle sprain sidelined McCarthy since Week 2, but Thursday night's 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers showed how urgently the Vikings need him back.