The Detroit Lions are currently enjoying their bye week amid a busy 2025 NFL season. Not having a game in Week 8 not only allows the Lions to get healthy, but it also gives them a chance to scout the rest of the NFC North. Detroit's coaches and fans will be keeping a close eye on the Minnesota Vikings, whom they play in Week 9.
The Vikings open up the Week 8 slate on Thursday Night Football in Los Angeles against the Chargers. Although it's already been confirmed that quarterback Carson Wentz will be starting yet again for Minnesota, there is a high likelihood that J.J. McCarthy will be back in Week 9.
According to Sean Borman of VikingsTerritory, Tom Pelissero said, "All the indications are pointing to J.J. McCarthy being available for the Lions game next Sunday” during an appearance on KFAN 100.3. If that's the case, McCarthy's impending return is exactly the news Lions fans and cornerback Terrion Arnold want to hear.
Terrion Arnold Should be Chomping at the Bit to Play J.J. McCarthy
Arnold hasn't played since Week 5 as he's been sidelined with a shoulder injury he suffered in the matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Before sustaining the injury, the 22-year-old was putting together one of the better games of his season. Although he was flagged twice, Arnold earned his best coverage grade of the season at 56.6 and an overall grade of 58.2, according to Pro Football Focus.
While PFF isn't the end-all, be-all, most Lions fans would tell you they like what Arnold brought in that game. Detroit's secondary also became unglued after his exit, which is why his injury late in the game stung even more. Luckily, if both McCarthy and Arnold return, he should be able to pick up right where he left off.
McCarthy wasn't super impressive in the two games before his injury. He's only completed 58.5% of passes for 301 passing yards, two touchdowns (to three interceptions), and a 67.2 passer rating, along with being sacked nine times. Between the pressure that McCarthy will be facing and a history of inaccurate throws, Arnold has to be salivating.
Moreover, in the two games Arnold has played against the Vikings in his career, he has played well. He recorded his highest pass coverage grades of his rookie season (71.8, 70.2) against the NFC North rival, and the Lions even ended up winning those contests. This shows that he can step up in rivalry matchups and could continue his success because McCarthy hasn't proven to be anything special yet.
With the extra week of rest, hopefully, Arnold can return against the Vikings next week.