ALLEN PARK -- J.J. McCarthy is expected to make his return from a five-game absence for the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit this weekend.

The NFL Network reports McCarthy is expected to return against the Lions. The Athletic added that McCarthy has been pushed through workouts in recent weeks, and the Vikings wanted to give the former first-round pick ample time to recover from his ankle injury.

McCarthy started the first two games of the season for the Vikings. He led an impressive comeback victory against the Chicago Bears in the opener. But the former Michigan star quarterback struggled the next week in a loss, and has been out with a high-ankle sprain for the last month-plus.

The Vikings (3-4) have started veteran quarterback Carson Wentz since McCarthy’s injury. Wentz has been inc

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