Since the two were picked in the same draft class last year, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has played 1,1718 snaps. The Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy, slowed by right knee and ankle injuries, has played 230.
Williams was asked Wednesday whether he had an appreciation for how difficult it was to play 98.6% of his team’s snaps — and if he felt any sense of sympathy for McCarthy.
His answer — yes and no.
“I take a lot of pride in many different avenues of recovery for myself, and so that I can be ready for my guys. …” he said. “And then I wouldn’t necessarily say that I have any kind of sympathy or anything like that. It’s a part of our job. Injuries happen. But it’s also a part of our job that we make sure that we take care of ourselves, whether it’s sleep or whether it’s recovery and things like that.
“So that’s kinda how I think about it, kinda feel about it, and it’s really important, for me, to be able to be out there. And I really think that I can help my team, and I help my team win games.”
McCarthy missed last year after a preseason knee injury. He rallied to beat the Bears in Week 1 but suffered a high ankle sprain the following week. He returned two weeks ago. He’s still dealing with a medical issue, albeit a smaller one — he banged his throwing hand on a helmet Sunday and will wear a pad on his right hand this in practice this week.
“Don’t see that affecting, really, his week of preparation very much, if at all,” head coach Kevin O’Connell told Vikings reporters.