Minnesota Vikings Quarterback J.J. McCarthy Inching Closer To a Return
J.J. McCarthy, the Minnesota Vikings’ perpetually banged-up quarterback, has officially cleared concussion protocol. That means he’s on track to start Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders, a matchup that feels less like a must-win and more like a “please-don’t-get-hurt-again” plea.
McCarthy’s season has been a masterclass in Murphy’s Law. If it could go wrong, it has. This latest brain-scrambler, suffered during a dismal 23-6 loss to the Packers in Week 12, is just another tally mark on his injury chart. Speaking to reporters, McCarthy couldn’t even pinpoint the exact play that rang his bell.
“Every single game kind of feels like you get kicked in the face by a donkey,” he said. For a guy who has missed as many games as he’s played this year (six), feeling like you’re in a one-sided fight with a farm animal is probably an accurate description of his 2025 campaign.
The Vikings’ Plan for McCarthy: Less Thinking, More Surviving
With the Vikings‘ season circling the drain at 4-8, the final five games are less about a playoff push and more about a crucial evaluation period for their young QB. Coach Kevin O’Connell has seemingly thrown in the towel on in-season mechanical tweaks. The new game plan? Just play football, and learn to slide.
“I want him to have a clear head and a clear mind to just go play,” O’Connell said, emphasizing the need for McCarthy to protect himself. After last week’s 26-0 drubbing by the Seahawks, where rookie Max Brosmer looked utterly lost, you can’t blame him.
McCarthy, a self-proclaimed “natural overthinker,” admitted that the constant focus on footwork and mechanics might have been getting in his head. “You’re not going to switch up your golf swing on the 12th hole,” he said. Trying to rebuild a quarterback mid-season is like trying to fix a plane while it’s in a nosedive. Sometimes, you just need to pull up and fly.
Can McCarthy Stay On the Field?
This is the million-dollar question. McCarthy’s tenure as the Vikings’ starter has been marred by a high ankle sprain, a bruised hand, and now a concussion. His stats, 929 yards, 6 touchdowns, and a league-worst 10 interceptions, don’t exactly scream “franchise savior.” But the front office needs to know if he has the grit and, more importantly, the durability to lead this team.
The Vikings are desperate for some stability under center. With veteran backup Carson Wentz on injured reserve, the hopes of a spiraling team rest squarely on McCarthy’s shoulders (and his hopefully well-protected head). As they face a struggling Commanders team, Minnesota isn’t just hoping for a win; they’re praying their quarterback can finish a game without needing an escort to the medical tent.
