Carson Wentz

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has shed the walking boot, as he tries to expedite his return from a sprained ankle suffered in a Week 2 loss to the Falcons. Coach Kevin O’Connell, however, isn’t inclined to rush McCarthy back to the lineup.

O’Connell made it clear on Monday that McCarthy will play not only when he’s physically ready, but when he’s entirely ready.

“First and foremost, he’s got to get healthy,” O’Connell told reporters, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. “And then, I don’t think it’s one of those things where it’s, hey, he’s healthy the night before a game, we’re going to throw him out there and say, ‘Hey, go figure it out’ type of thing.”

Related players: Carson Wentz

The story went on to say O’Connell has denied that the injury amounts to a “soft benching” of the second-year quarterback, the coach said “there is value” in McCarthy watching Wentz play. The story added it seems likely Wentz will get the next game, against the Steelers in Ireland, and perhaps the one after that, against the Browns in London, before a decision is made as to whether it will be Wentz or McCarthy after the bye — when the Eagles come to Minnesota.