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The Minnesota Vikings are expected to have J.J. McCarthy back under center for their Week 9 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Adding extra intrigue, a former Michigan teammate will face him on the field. It’s time for McCarthy to find his footing with Minnesota after the season-ending injury to Carson Wentz. According to ESPN, Wentz will undergo season-ending surgery to repair his left shoulder, the same injury he first suffered on October 5 while filling in for McCarthy. The report added, citing a source, that Wentz had been playing through a dislocated shoulder, including a torn labrum and a fractured socket. As a result, McCarthy has an opportunity to run with the job and ease any questions anyone might have about him being a starting quarterback in the NFL. Before the Vikings take on the Lions and McCarthy has a chance to show he’s the No. 1 guy in Minnesota, Aidan Hutchinson spoke about facing his former college teammate for the first time in the NFL. “It’ll be exciting,” Hutchinson told reporters (h/t Brad Galli of WXYZ Detroit). “We have a great relationship, and I probably got to shoot him a text this week at some point, letting him know. And no, I’m super excited. He’s a great competitor, great player, and I’m looking forward to it.” Aidan Hutchinson Enjoys Playing Ex-Michigan Teammates McCarthy, if healthy, will be the second straight former Michigan teammate that Hutchinson faces. In Week 7, the Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now Hutchinson faces McCarthy as Detroit comes off a bye week. “It’s always weird how some of the guys you play with just keep continuing to show up,” Hutchinson added. “And now me and J.J. will get our first. It’s going to be the first matchup, if you want to call it that. But no, it’s going to be fun. I’m sure we’ll laugh a little bit out there. Yeah, it’ll be great. I think I texted him when we got drafted, telling him I’ll just roll off a little bit on the end and not try to. “But it’s going to be fun. It is fun when you play against. I mean, even last week, playing against Ben Bredeson, we played together for a few years, and you’re able to share in the moments in between that people don’t see. You share good moments, funny moments, [and] laughing. So it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I’m hoping it’s going to be a good.” Can Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Rise to the Occasion McCarthy faces a challenging situation, even with a former college teammate trying to take him down. NBC Sports’ Mike Florio recently said it’s sink or swim for McCarthy, as the Vikings have no veteran safety net. Last season, Minnesota relied on Sam Darnold, and this year it was Wentz—but with him out, all eyes are on the second-year quarterback.
