J.J. McCarthy looked quite healthy when he jumped to avoid Justin Jefferson on the sideline after the All-Pro receiver slid out of bounds following a catch.

McCarthy was the emergency No. 3 quarterback for the second straight game while Carson Wentz took another beating during Minnesota’s 37-10 loss to the Chargers on Thursday night.

Was McCarthy held out because he hasn’t fully recovered from his ankle injury or was Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell protecting him behind an injury-riddled offensive line that allowed Wentz to take a pounding?

Only O’Connell knows that answer.

But now it’s time to make a decision. Wentz played well in his first three starts, going 2-1. But the veteran quarterback struggled last week against the Eagles and again vs. Los Angeles while playing with a shoulde

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