Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy says ankle feels 'Amazing, ready to go'

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell talks Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy [FULL]

Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell talked Wednesday at TCO Performance Center about Carson Wentz heading to injured reserve with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder that needs surgery. J.J. McCarthy will return to full practice and is expected to start on Sunday at the Detroit Lions.

EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell did his weekly news conference on Wednesday at TCO Performance Center, and spent most of the 19 minutes talking about quarterbacks.

J.J. McCarthy returns to full practice

What we know:

When the Vikings took the practice field Monday, J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer were on the field. Carson Wentz, who was placed on injured reserve, was not.

O’Connell said McCarthy will be a full participant in practice this week, and it looks like he’ll return Sunday against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. McCarthy has missed five straight games with an ankle sprain suffered Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.

J.J. McCarthy says ankle is healthy: 'Amazing, I feel like myself again'

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy spoke with reporters after practice Wednesday at TCO Performance Center in Eagan. He says his ankle is healed and he's ready to return this week after missing five straight games. The Vikings went 2-3 in his absence.

"J.J. McCarthy will have a full week of preparation, he’s in a really good place from a health standpoint," O’Connell said.

McCarthy spoke with reporters after practice Wednesday and was absolutely giddy about his return Sunday. He says his ankle is healthy.

"Amazing, ready to go. I feel like myself again," McCarthy said.

Seven of McCarthy’s eight quarters so far have been hard to watch, largely due to poor offensive line play. The quarterback the Vikings hope they’re getting is the McCarthy that lead a 21-point fourth quarter comeback in his NFL debut against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.

Kevin O'Connell thankful for Carson Wentz

Why you should care:

The Vikings placed Wentz on IR Monday. He’ll have surgery on his non-throwing shoulder for a torn labrum and fractured socket, an injury he tried to play through for 2.5 games. It was determined last Friday he needed surgery, and his season was over. Wentz’s wife is due any day with their fourth child, he’ll have the procedure after that.

Wentz was sacked 19 times in five starts, and was in obvious pain last Thursday against the L.A. Rams with every hit he took. O’Connell defended the decision to play Wentz on the radio on Tuesday, and reiterated Wednesday it was about pain tolerance.

"We went into this thing knowing it was a pain tolerance situation and he would be able to play through it and not make it worse until he inevitably had to make the decision to get the surgery," O’Connell said. "You have an obligation to the player to let them compete and see it through."

Josh Oliver has foot sprain

The backstory:

Vikings’ tight end Josh Oliver left last Thursday’s game with a foot injury. O’Connell said Wednesday he’s week-to-week with a foot sprain, but they avoided a serious injury.

What's next:

The Vikings are at the Lions Sunday, a game you can watch on FOX 9.