Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy is enduring a nightmare sophomore season. Between inconsistent play and an ankle sprain that sidelined him for multiple weeks, he hasn’t been able to find any real momentum.
Things got worse last week, as McCarthy suffered a head injury against the Packers, leaving his availability for Week 13 very much in doubt.
What Happened to JJ McCarthy?
On Monday afternoon, one day after McCarthy and the Vikings lost to Green Bay, head coach Kevin O’Connell said McCarthy had symptoms of a concussion and would be placed in the protocol.
The team didn’t confirm the exact play when McCarthy was injured, but fans speculate it may have happened late in the fourth quarter, when Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie wrestled him to the ground, and the QB’s head hit the turf.
Two days after the initial report, Diana Russini noted that McCarthy is not expected to play in Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks. The injury puts undrafted free agent Max Brosmer in line to start, according to Adam Schefter.
Though doubtful, if McCarthy can complete every step of the concussion protocol, he would likely get the start. The second-year quarterback logged limited practices on both Wednesday and Thursday. Friday’s injury report will give a clearer idea of where things stand.
As a precaution, the Vikings signed Desmond Ridder to their practice squad on Thursday, potentially slotting him in as the QB2 for Sunday. For Max Brosmer, this would be his first start in his young career.
Brosmer spent five years at the University of New Hampshire and one season at Minnesota. Across that span, he started four full seasons, finishing with 11,295 passing yards and 86 touchdowns, along with 15 rushing scores.
So far in his pro career, he’s appeared in two games in limited action. The rookie completed two of four attempts for 29 yards late in a blowout win against the Bengals, and he played again in Week 8 against the Chargers, completing three passes for 13 yards after Wentz left with an injury.
Brosmer is earning first-team reps for the first time this week, and it’s not unreasonable to say he deserves a real look regardless of McCarthy’s designation. McCarthy, ranked 38th on PFSN’s QB Impact metric, has six passing touchdowns to ten interceptions on the season, and despite a championship-level supporting cast, he’s is 2-4 in six starts as Minnesota has slipped to 4-7.
With that in mind, all eyes now turn to the official injury report.
Between Friday and Saturday, we should receive clarity on McCarthy’s status and whether he’ll be in the lineup for Week 13 against Seattle. For now, expect Brosmer to be QB1 for the Vikings.