McCarthy cleared concussion protocol on Thursday, paving the way for his return to the starting lineup. The rookie quarterback suffered the concussion during Minnesota’s 23-6 Week 12 loss to the Packers and missed his team’s shutout loss against the Seahawks last week.

Ten months ago, Kevin O'Connell was named AP NFL Coach of the Year after the Vikings won 14 regular-season games with one-time castoff Sam Darnold. The team decided to let Darnold walk and put the offense in the unproven hands of McCarthy, the 2024 first-round pick.

After months of talking about fundamentals and mechanics, O'Connell wants McCarthy to focus on something else on Sunday.

The Chicago Bears were without four players in practice on Wednesday: linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II (shoulder), running back Kyle Monangai (ankle), wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (hip). Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring) was the only player limited.