Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy left the 16-13 win over the New York Giants late in the second quarter with a right hand injury and didn’t return. As a result, Max Brosmer took over for the second-year quarterback in the second half after Minnesota ruled out McCarthy.
McCarthy left the game after Giants linebacker Brian Burns sacked him with 25 seconds remaining in the first half. The hit caused a fumble, which safety Tyler Nubin recovered and returned for a touchdown.
He didn’t return after visibly wincing while medical staff examined his hand and was later ruled out with a right-hand injury.
Brosmer completed 7 of 9 pass attempts for 52 passing yards, but more importantly, he didn’t turn the ball over. Justin Jefferson spoke with the media after having one of his better performances in recent weeks, recording six catches for 85 receiving yards, and praised Brosmer.
“[Brosmer] being in that type of position, him being in that spot, having to come in and replace J.J. and to lead us to victory, that’s something big,” Jefferson told reporters postgame. “That’s something that’s very hard to do in this league. So for him to come in not knowing that he’s going to do it, not knowing that he’s going to be in a valuable role [in] this game, that was the biggest thing from it.”
What’s the Latest on Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stated that X-rays on McCarthy’s right hand came back negative (h/t AP News). It remains uncertain whether McCarthy will be able to play in the final two games of the season, even without a fracture.
“Obviously the hand, there’s a lot going on there, so I don’t want to speculate one way or the other,” O’Connell said after the victory (h/t AP News). “Just crossing our fingers that we’ll have him back out there.”
Since being taken with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, McCarthy’s stint with the Vikings has been marked by injuries. He missed all of his rookie season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. This year, he was sidelined for five games with a right ankle sprain and missed additional time due to a concussion.
“It is unfortunate,” O’Connell added. “He’s looked like he’s really found a place of decisiveness, ownership of the offense. … It’s a bummer just because I’m having a blast coaching him, and I’m seeing the growth of a young player getting the opportunity to actually go out there and grow and develop.”
Vikings’ Aaron Jones Sr. Played Through Pain
Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. was one of the several players who suffered an injury in the win over the Giants. After the game, he spoke with FOX Sports’ Megan Olivi and shared why he played through his injury.
“Just being there for my teammates,“ Jones said about playing through pain and the injuries that the team suffered. “We had guys go down, saw my fellow running back go down, and thought, ‘Man, there’s only one left.’
“I’ve got to go out there. So it’s a lot of that. We’re doing it for each other, and I feel like that’s contagious—it shows on the field. At the end of the game, we’re playing for each other. The whole game, we’re playing for each other, but you really see it at the end.”
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