On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings edged the New York Giants 16-13, but the win was bittersweet as rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy left the game with a hand injury that will keep him out of the next two contests.
Injury Details and Immediate Impact
After the Vikings’ victory, coach Kevin O’Connell said X-rays of McCarthy’s right hand came back negative, meaning no fracture was detected, but the injury still raises questions about the quarterback’s availability.
O’Connell explained that the hand is “Obviously the hand, there’s a lot going on there, so I don’t want to speculate one way or the other,” and added, “Just crossing our fingers that we’ll have him back out there.”
McCarthy sustained the injury sometime in the first half, just before he ran for a touchdown. The last play he was involved in was a 24-second strip sack by Brian Burns, with Tyler Nubin recovering the fumble and returning it 27 yards for a touchdown. O’Connell said, “I’m not sure he was even able to grip the ball, but I don’t know if he knew or not at that point,” and added, “I don’t know at what point the injury actually happened, and I don’t even know if he does.”
During the game, McCarthy completed 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards, and a would-be pick-six was negated by a penalty before the injury forced him out.
The Vikings’ offense was able to finish the drive with rookie backup Max Brosmer stepping in. Brosmer completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards, many of them on the drive that ultimately led to the winning field goal.
Justin Jefferson praised Brosmer’s performance, saying, “We always have confidence in Max to go in there and do what we expect him to do,” and added, “Of course, surrounding himself with the weapons that we have on our offense to go and lead us to where we need to go. It’s tough. It’s part of the game. But it’s all about next man up and finishing the job.”
McCarthy’s injury adds to a string of setbacks that have slowed his development. He missed a game late last month while in concussion protocol and has also been sidelined by a sprained right ankle.
His rookie year was already derailed by a torn meniscus in his right knee, and the current hand injury could further hinder his growth path.
O’Connell reflected on McCarthy’s progress, saying, “It is unfortunate,” and added, “He’s looked like he’s really found a place of decisiveness, ownership of the offense. … It’s a bummer just because I’m having a blast coaching him, and I’m seeing the growth of a young player getting the opportunity to actually go out there and grow and develop.”
He also noted McCarthy’s early-game rhythm, adding, “He was in a rhythm of great decision-making early on… I thought J.J. was doing a lot of good things and really, really unfortunate that he was not able to finish the football game. He was, my opinion, putting together a very nice performance again.”
With the Vikings sitting at 7-8 and out of playoff contention, the team’s focus is on giving McCarthy more experience in his first NFL season.
O’Connell said, “You’d love to have him… you’d love to have him for two straight home games to finish, and we’ll see where his hand’s at and if he has the ability to play for us again. I sure hope so.”
The outcome of the hand’s recovery will determine whether McCarthy can return for the final stretch of the season, and the Vikings will monitor his progress closely.
Key Takeaways
- McCarthy’s hand injury keeps him out of the season’s last two games.
- X-rays showed no fracture, but uncertainty remains about his readiness.
- Backup Max Brosmer helped secure the win with a 7-of-9 performance.
As the Vikings head into the final games of a season that ended in disappointment, the focus will be on McCarthy’s healing and the team’s ability to adapt with other quarterbacks stepping up.
