Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has shed the walking boot, as he tries to expedite his return from a sprained ankle suffered in a Week 2 loss to the Falcons. Coach Kevin O’Connell, however, isn’t inclined to rush McCarthy back to the lineup.

O’Connell made it clear on Monday that McCarthy will play not only when he’s physically ready, but when he’s entirely ready.

“First and foremost, he’s got to get healthy ,” O’Connell told reporters, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. “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.”

The goal is to ensure that McCarthy has his full mobility — along with his ability to practice, completely.

O’Connell pointed to

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