Getty Quarterback J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy will step back into the role of starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings against the Detroit Lions in Week 9, but the timing of his return probably could not be worse. McCarthy played just two games to begin the year before a high-ankle sprain sidelined him for the past six weeks. Danny Heifetz of The Ringer explained on the October 22 edition of “The Bill Simmons Podcast” the direness of the scenario