J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings quarterback, is still playing through the worst season of his career based on injuries. After missing 23 of his first 25 NFL games due to issues with his right knee and ankle, McCarthy now deals with a bruised hand that limited his participation in practice on Wednesday. The Vikings crusade to improbably overcome this week’s biggest loss—a 27-19 setback to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday—begins now. The most recent injury occurred in the third quarter, 2:31 before the conclusion of the game.
Fifth rounder Makai McArthy’s injury history gave them pause and are reportedly some within the Vikings organization. He came back from a right ankle injury in Week 9. He has been limited to just four starts of the team’s nine games this year. The Vikings have highlighted McCarthy’s practice reps as part of their push to develop him to be their long-term starter. Coach Kevin O’Connell has expressed confidence in McCarthy’s condition, stating that “everything checked out” regarding the quarterback’s latest ailment and indicating it should not hinder his preparation for the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears.
At a recent news conference, McCarthy tucked both arms into to the pocket of his hoodie. This small gesture betrayed his nervousness. He acknowledged the impact of his hand injury, comparing it to getting one’s hand slammed in a car door, which would affect various tasks involving that hand.
“If you get your hand slammed in a car door, it’s going to feel different for everything you do with that hand.” – J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy’s impact was already felt by his missed time this season. He’ll need that support. He missed time recently to celebrate the birth of his son, welcomed on September 11. Unfortunately, he floundered in the Vikings loss to the Atlanta Falcons on September 14. Late in the fourth quarter on the road in Baltimore, McCarthy was all over the place. He finished 6/16 attempts under pressure, for a 40% off-target rate.
As McCarthy gets ready for Sunday’s game against the Bears, there is no real indication at this point that he will be missing out. The Vikings are still all about getting him back on his feet and getting his confidence back on the field. After a disastrous season, McCarthy wants to bounce back strong against Chicago. He has a new contract and he wants to prove that he’s indispensable to this team.
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