The Minnesota Vikings‘ playoff chances continued to get slimmer and slimmer as they fell to 4-7 on the season this past weekend, as the Green Bay Packers defeated them 23-6.
And after a difficult, two-interception game in which he managed just 87 passing yards and 13 completions, quarterback JJ McCarthy may be facing some even worse news.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert – who covers the Vikings – reported the day after the Green Bay loss that the team has put McCarthy in concussion protocol, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Vikings’ JJ McCarthy Enters Concussion Protocol After Week 12
“J.J. McCarthy is in the concussion protocol, per Kevin O’Connell. Reported symptoms on the flight home last night.” Seifert wrote.
Speaking on Monday, O’Connell stressed that there was no update as to whether McCarthy would be ready to play for week 13’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks – a game that is a must-win if the team want to retain any realistic playoff hopes.
“We’ll go through the steps and phases of it,” O’Connell explained to the media. “I am not ready to make any sort of designation for the game or anything like that. We’ll let the process play out, but at the same time, I do think it’s important for everybody to know that there is total transparency. I’m going to totally, totally defer to the medical staff and the professionals on that one as well as J.J.”
McCarthy Not Able To Aid Regressing Vikings Team
Minnesota’s defense and special teams have regressed from last season, something that was certainly surprising given the Vikings’ numerous free agent additions on defense this offseason, including defensive linemen Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave and impressive outside cornerback, Isaiah Rodgers Sr..
However, what has without question been the biggest concern team-wide throughout the year is the slow progression of second year quarterback and first year starter, McCarthy.
McCarthy spent the entirety of his rookie year in 2024 sidelined with a meniscus tear, as former 3rd overall pick back in 2018, Sam Darnold had a breakout campaign. Darnold left in free agency to the Seahawks, where he has lead the team to an 8-3 record on the year and seem primed for postseason contention in January.
In six games as a starter this season, McCarthy has passed for 929 yards, 6 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, managing a 54.1% completion percentage. This has earned him a 57.9 quarterback rating, the worst in the NFL behind just the Cleveland Browns‘ Shedeur Sanders – who has only completed 15 passes and made one start, to JJ’s 86 completions in 6 starts.
With their being no clear update as to whether the former Michigan man will be playing on Sunday in Seattle, Vikings fans will have to wait and see if they will have to patiently wait through another “learning curve” performance McCarthy.
Obviously everyone is hoping that the 22 year old former National Champion recovers quickly, is healthy and will hopefully return to the field soon. But from a playing perspective – it doesn’t feel like Minnesota has much room to regress, even if McCarthy is ruled out for this coming weekend.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Delivers Bad News On Struggling QB appeared first on Heavy Sports.