Minnesota Vikings Rule Out Quarterback J.J. McCarthy For Remainder Of Week 16 Tilt
It’s becoming a script that Minnesota Vikings fans are tired of reading. You almost want to look away at this point. Just when it feels like J.J. McCarthy might be finding a rhythm, or at least staying upright long enough to learn the speed of the NFL game, the injury bug takes another massive bite.
This time, it was the right hand. And looking at the replay, it wasn’t pretty. In a Week 16 clash against the New York Giants that was supposed to be a chance for development, disaster struck just before halftime. Giants pass rusher Brian Burns came off the edge with bad intentions, delivering a bone-crushing strip-sack that resulted in a scoop-and-score touchdown for New York. But the scoreboard was the last thing on the minds of the purple and gold faithful.
The hit That Silenced the Stadium
Cameras immediately panned to McCarthy, who wasn’t just frustrated—he was in clear, significant pain. He was seen wincing and grabbing his throwing hand while the medical staff frantically attended to him on the sideline.
McCarthy headed to the locker room with 17 seconds left in the half and didn’t return. Just like that, his day was done, and potentially, his season. You look around the league at the elite tier of quarterbacks—guys like Josh Allen who seem built out of granite, taking punishment and popping right back up—and you have to wonder if McCarthy can physically endure the rigors of this league. The ability is there, but availability is the best ability, and right now, McCarthy is struggling to stay on the field.
A Brutal Timeline Of Injuries
To call McCarthy’s start in the NFL “rocky” would be the understatement of the year. It’s been a demolition derby. Let’s recap the resume of pain for the young signal-caller:
- Missed his official rookie season with a knee injury.
- Missed time in 2025 with an ankle issue.
- Sidelined by a concussion earlier this year.
- Now, a hand injury that looked serious enough to end his Week 16 early.
This is his de facto rookie year, and he just can’t string games together. The Vikings need to know if he is the franchise guy, but how do you evaluate a quarterback who is constantly rehabbing?
Max Brosmer Steps In, Ryan Kelly Out
With McCarthy ruled out, the Vikings had to turn to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer to steer the ship. It is an admirable effort from Brosmer, who has been called upon before, but it’s not the blueprint Minnesota drew up for late December football.
Adding insult to injury, Center Ryan Kelly was also ruled out with a concussion. This is arguably even scarier than the quarterback situation. It marks the sixth diagnosed concussion of Kelly’s career, a number that goes beyond football and starts bringing up conversations about life after the game.
For Minnesota, this game against the Giants has turned into a triage unit. The focus has shifted from “Can we win this game?” to “Who is going to be healthy enough to play next week?” For a franchise desperate for stability under center, the picture remains as cloudy as ever.
