The Minnesota Vikings can breathe a collective sigh of relief after multiple reports that quarterback JJ McCarthy suffered an injury during the team’s preseason contest against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, August 22.
McCarthy took multiple shots, as the Vikings’ offensive line reserves protected him poorly. He ended up leaving the game earlier than head coach Kevin O’Connell had planned, as team doctors examined McCarthy who was visibly wincing on the sidelines.
O’Connell did not provide a precise update on the nature of the QB’s medical issue or a confirmation that McCarthy either would or would not miss practice time moving forward. However, the young signal-caller cleared it all up himself while speaking with reporters on Saturday afternoon.
“Little banged up, but yeah, I’m healthy,” McCarthy said. “I’m ready to go.”
JJ McCarthy’s Entire NFL Career to This Point Marred by Injuries
GettyQuarterback JJ McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings has battled injury issues ever since joining the NFL as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Health aside, McCarthy’s performance on Saturday did little to calm any nerves about his abilities heading into Year 3 of what has been a tumultuous NFL career to this point.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie campaign following a preseason knee injury that required surgery. He sat out seven games in 2025 due to three separate issues that included a high-ankle sprain, a concussion and a hairline fracture in his throwing hand.
The quarterback’s latest injury scare on Saturday, the exact nature of which McCarthy also did not specify, came after a 5-of-10 performance for 81 yards and multiple bad misses on easy attempts, including an overthrow of wide receiver Myles Price on what would have otherwise been a touchdown pass.
Carson Wentz Appears to Close Gap on JJ McCarthy in Battle for Backup QB Spot in Minnesota
GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz is making a strong case this preseason to serve as the team’s backup quarterback behind starter Kyler Murray.
As a result of McCarthy’s performance, as well as a second straight game this month in which Carson Wentz outplayed his younger counterpart, more speculation swirled on social media as to whether Wentz will ultimately beat McCarthy out for the backup quarterback job behind starter Kyler Murray.
O’Connell spoke to that competition during a media session last week.
“I want those guys feeling like they’re competing. The philosophy around making our quarterback room competitive … that’s what we want throughout that quarterback room,” O’Connell said. “We’ll see how these next couple weeks play out, and we’re gonna do what’s best for our team.”
McCarthy probably didn’t lose the QB2 role to Wentz on Saturday against Baltimore, but he certainly didn’t win it and likely surrendered at least some ground. Wentz completed 9-of-11 pass attempts for 92 yards.
There is also last year to consider. Wentz had a higher completion percentage and a better TD-to-INT ration across five starts for the Vikings (2-3) than McCarthy did over his 10 starts (6-4). Max Brosmer, an undrafted rookie for Minnesota in 2025, started two games last season (1-1).
JJ McCarthy Issues Blunt Injury Message After Vikings Game