The Vikings have been without their starting quarterback since Week 2 when he suffered a sprained ankle during a loss to the Falcons.

After McCarthy's ankle injury was originally announced by Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, reports indicated that the quarterback could miss anywhere from two-to-four weeks, which would have put him—at the latest—in line to start in their Week 7 game against the Eagles.

Most recently, McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Initially, the expectation was that he would return in 2-3 weeks since he finished the game when the injury occurred. McCarthy has now missed five games, and the Vikings have already had their bye week.

The Minnesota Vikings finally appear ready to transition back to J.J. McCarthy as the starting quarterback.McCarthy has watched from the sidelines for the last six weeks (five games and the bye) as backup Carson Wentz has led a shaky offense to a 2-3 record.

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

The Minnesota Vikings play the Los Angeles Chargers to start Week 8 of the NFL season. Will quarterback JJ McCarthy play after missing several weeks with an injury?

The former first-round pick is expected to start in Week 9 against the Lions, and Minnesota needs him to play like he did at Michigan.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones is reportedly expected to play in Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.