The last time J.J. McCarthy played football in Michigan, he put the finishing touches on a perfect regular season for the Michigan Wolverines with a monumental win over Ohio State in 2023.

The Illinois native was just three more games from securing a national championship with the Wolverines, but now he’s making his return to the state where he became a college hero to make an important start for his NFL career.

After an injury took away his rookie season in 2024 and a high ankle sprain kept him sidelined for six weeks, McCarthy is set to return to the field to lead his Minnesota Vikings (3-4) against the Detroit Lions (5-2) Sunday at Ford Field.

While the Lions bring a stingy defense, the game is really an opportunity for McCarthy to reset his season and possibly even his career as h

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