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Kevin Seifert
Multiple Authors
MINNEAPOLIS — Quarterback J.J. McCarthy would have played longer Saturday if he had not gotten “banged up” during a rough first quarter in the Minnesota Vikings‘ 13-3 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said.
McCarthy played 18 snaps over four series in the first quarter, but O’Connell said he had hoped to send him out for at least one more possession. McCarthy had struggled with his accuracy while also absorbing three hits and one sack. On his final play, he rose slowly from the ground after four Ravens defenders converged on him in the pocket.
“Maybe one more drive would have been great to get him based upon where he was at snap-count-wise. But once he was a little hobbled there … I’m sure I’ll have an update for you, but he seemed to be fine.”
O’Connell did not reveal a specific injury, but the revelation was notable given McCarthy’s long history of injuries since the Vikings selected him with the No. 10 pick of the 2024 draft. He missed his entire rookie season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee, and then missed seven games last season because of a high right ankle sprain and a concussion. He was also limited by a hairline fracture in his right hand.
McCarthy’s first pass Saturday flew over the head of receiver Myles Price, who was open on the sideline. Later, McCarthy’s 50-yard pass to receiver Tai Felton gave the Vikings a first down at the Ravens’ 10-yard line, but McCarthy then overthrew Felton and Price in the end zone on second and fourth downs, respectively, as the Vikings failed to score.
“Those are just throws I’ve got to make,” said McCarthy, who completed 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards. “[Coaches] called great plays, but at the end of the day, know I can make those throws. And it’s great to have that experience logged in and that data logged in to be able to make that throw next time.”
Asked if he felt sped up before the overthrows, McCarthy said: “I wouldn’t say I felt sped up. It’s just sometimes you hit them, sometimes you miss. And it’s … what preseason’s all about. You get it out now and log that feeling, like I said, and make sure you hit it the next time.”
O’Connell said last week that McCarthy was the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback behind Kyler Murray and ahead of Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. But O’Connell also said he wanted the position to be competitive, setting up an important final week of training camp ahead of Friday’s preseason game at the Denver Broncos.
Asked if he imagined he would be sidelined at all in practice this week, McCarthy said: “I don’t imagine that at all. Just a little banged up, and it’s football.”
