Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy downplays injury after early exit in preseason loss
J.J. McCarthy left the Vikings' 13-3 preseason defeat to the Ravens after a first-quarter hit but said the injury would not affect his availability, while coach Kevin O'Connell discussed quarterback depth.
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy left Saturday's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens early in the first quarter after a hard hit, but indicated the injury would not impact his future playing time. The Vikings fell 13-3, and McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in 2024, completed five of ten passes for 81 yards before being taken off the field with four seconds left in the opening period.
"Coach O'Connell is going to make the right decision for me and the team," McCarthy said, adding that he is "just following orders."
According to a report, head coach Kevin O'Connell decided to keep McCarthy sidelined and had planned to give him more snaps than the four drives he saw. O'Connell later explained that the team wanted to continue providing opportunities to other quarterbacks, noting that veteran Carson Wentz replaced McCarthy and completed nine of eleven passes for 92 yards.
"Would've loved to get J.J. a little more work. But he got a little banged up there, and we just decided to give Carson his time," O'Connell said.
The quarterback depth chart remains unsettled after O'Connell named Kyler Murray as the starter for the upcoming season. McCarthy's health will be a factor as he prepares for the final preseason game against the Denver Broncos.