The Seattle Seahawks just got a major piece of Week 13 news to track. Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin OâConnell said starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy has entered the NFLâs concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on the flight home from Sundayâs loss to the Green Bay Packers, putting his status for Sundayâs game in Seattle in doubt.
If McCarthy canât clear protocol in time, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer would be in line for his first NFL start at Lumen Field in a game the Seahawks badly need for their NFC playoff push.
Vikings Place J.J. McCarthy in Concussion Protocol Before Seahawks Game
OâConnell told reporters that McCarthy began experiencing head-related symptoms during the teamâs travel home from Green Bay. He was evaluated after landing and was placed in the leagueâs concussion protocol.
According to OâConnell, there was no single obvious hit that triggered the issue, and the Vikings are still reviewing the game film. McCarthy will now have to pass through every phase of the NFLâs return-to-play process, which includes evaluations by both team physicians and an independent neurologist.
The Vikings have not ruled McCarthy out, but the timeline is tight. With kickoff in Seattle coming at the end of the week, any setback in the protocol could end his chances of suiting up.
This is another setback in what was supposed to be a key evaluation season for the former first-round pick. McCarthy has already dealt with multiple injuries in his young career and has struggled with turnovers and sacks when he has been on the field.
What the Vikings QB Shake-Up Means for the Seahawks
From Seattleâs side, this is the kind of opponent-quarterback news that could shift how a game is viewed.
The Seahawks are in solid position in the NFC standings and are already favored at home. Facing either a struggling young starter in McCarthy or a rookie making his first career start in one of the loudest stadiums in football is, on paper, a favorable setup for head coach Mike Macdonaldâs defense.
If McCarthy plays, Seattle can expect Minnesota to stick with its usual plan but try to protect the quarterback with quick throws, the run game and play-action. Given his turnover issues, the Seahawksâ pass rush and secondary will likely look to jump routes and force mistakes.
If Brosmer is pushed into the lineup, the Vikings may lean even harder into a conservative approach. That could mean more screens, bootlegs and simple reads designed to keep the rookie out of obvious passing downs and let him settle in.
The trap for Seattle is assuming either option will be easy. Backup and replacement quarterbacks have burned playoff hopefuls before, especially when thereâs limited NFL tape to study. Macdonald and his staff will spend the week preparing for both quarterbacks and a Vikings offense that may be forced to get creative.
Who Is Max Brosmer, the Rookie QB Seahawks Fans Need to Know?
If McCarthy cannot go, Seahawks fans will quickly get familiar with Brosmer.
The rookie earned his roster spot after a long college career and a solid preseason, where he showed enough poise and command of the offense to impress OâConnellâs staff. He opened the season as the third quarterback but moved into the backup role after injuries ahead of him on the depth chart.
Brosmer has seen only limited regular-season action in relief so far, with a small handful of pass attempts and no starts. The Vikings view him as a smart, steady passer who can get the ball out on time and operate the system.
For Seattle, the assignment is clear: keep pressure on whoever starts, win on early downs and avoid giving a banged-up Vikings team short fields or free possessions. Whether it is McCarthy fighting through protocol or Brosmer getting a surprise opportunity, the Seahawks will be expected to take advantage of this quarterback uncertainty at home.
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