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By Max Dible
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Minnesota Vikings were more than fine without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, but the team isn't changing its long-term strategy under center.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke to the organization's commitment to McCarthy as the starter on Monday. However, he added something of a muddled caveat that could mean McCarthy will miss more time than initially expected.
"First and foremost, he's got to get healthy," O'Connell told reporters. "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."
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O'Connell's remarks imply that McCarthy may not be thrown back into the starting lineup immediately after he's cleared by doctors to resume playing.
ESPN's Adam Schefter initially reported that McCarthy could miss between 2-4 weeks, which included last weekend's game against Cincinnati.
McCarthy will join the team for its two-week trip to Europe that features a contest with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin next Sunday before a game against the Cleveland Browns in London the following week.
Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported Monday that Minnesota is more than confident in playing backup QB Carson Wentz for "at least one and probably two more starts before J.J. McCarthy returns from a right ankle injury."
The Vikings have a bye following their return from Europe, which represents the one-month point (or the maximum of four weeks that Schefter reported) for McCarthy's recovery.
Reading between the lines of O'Connell's comments, it sounds like Minnesota will roll with Wentz against the Browns on Oct. 5 unless McCarthy is ready to hit the practice field at full strength immediately following the Sept. 28 matchup with the Steelers.
However, that was not entirely clear in O'Connell's comments.
"When you're in the phasing of building up the 10,000 reps and 10,000 hours of what it takes to play the position at a very high level, which we know J.J. McCarthy is going to do, you can't cut corners on that," O'Connell continued. "And that also doesn't require an answer on that question today."
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