J.J. McCarthy Addresses Injury Concern After Big Hit amid Vikings Trade Buzz in NFL Preseason

After exiting Saturday's 13-3 preseason loss against the Baltimore Ravens much earlier than expected due to an apparent injury, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy downplayed any concerns over his long-term health.

McCarthy, whose future with the Vikings is a bit uncertain amid ongoing trade rumors, sustained a big hit near the end of the first quarter and didn't return to the game. Per Alec Lewis of The Athletic, McCarthy said afterward that head coach Kevin O'Connell decided to keep him on the sidelines, and he doesn't think the injury will affect his future availability.

"Coach O'Connell is going to make the right decision for me and the team," McCarthy said. "Yeah. I'm just following orders."

Lewis noted that O'Connell said he had prepared to have McCarthy play more than the four drives he saw in the first quarter. The 2024 No. 10 pick finished 5-of-10 for 81 yards and failed to put points on the scoreboard before he was seen hobbling to the sidelines with four seconds remaining in the opening frame.

McCarthy's abbreviated showing on Saturday could impact his outlook for the 2026 season. After O'Connell named Kyler Murray as Minnesota's starting quarterback for the upcoming campaign, the backup position has yet to be solidified. Veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz replaced McCarthy and went 9-of-11 for 92 yards.

"We want to keep giving those guys opportunities," O'Connell said after the game when asked about the quarterback depth chart. "Would've loved to get J.J. a little more work. But he got a little banged up there, and we just decided to give Carson his time."

Wentz's steady demeanor could give him the edge for the Vikings' backup quarterback position, which has become a crucial spot on the team after Minnesota lost its starter in two of the last four seasons. It remains to be seen if McCarthy will be healthy enough to make one last case for himself in the team's preseason finale against the Denver Broncos on Friday night.