Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has reportedly passed through concussion protocol successfully. If he does suit up, he is prepared to reclaim his spot on the starting offensive line versus the Washington Commanders on Sunday. On Thursday, that news broke as McCarthy was falling. He sat out last week’s 26-0 drubbing at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks due to a concussion he sustained in the week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
In that Week 12 contest, McCarthy sustained a concussion, one of several factors leading to the team’s disappointing 23-6 loss. This quickening incident produced a combustible season for McCarthy. At this point, he’s missed six games to injury, the same number of games he’s played.
Coach Kevin O’Connell has shifted his focus away from McCarthy’s mechanics and instead wants him to prioritize decision-making to enhance his performance on the field. Even McCarthy himself admits that his penchant for navel-gazing is sometimes counterproductive. He explains, “Every single game kind of feels like you get kicked in the face by a donkey,” reflecting on the pressures of being a starting quarterback.
O’Connell emphasized the importance of minimizing open-field contact, which has been a significant factor in McCarthy’s two major injuries this year—a high right ankle sprain in Week 2 and the recent concussion. “There will be time to fundamentally focus on things and continue building this layer and a foundation that will be important for him into the future,” O’Connell stated, indicating a long-term approach to developing McCarthy’s skills.
Facing an undeniable threat to his return, McCarthy knows that he needs to dial in the details of his decision. He doesn’t want to get lost in the weeds with technical specs. He likened his approach to maintaining consistency in sports, saying, “Like on the 12th hole, you’re not going to switch up your golf swing and stuff like that.” This is the kind of mindset we hope will allow him to process the clutter of the game without having to critique every single rep to death.
Her teammates and fans alike look forward to McCarthy returning soon. The Vikings have a chip on their shoulder and are looking to prove they are better than their 2023 slate. With his sights set on making impactful plays while avoiding unnecessary risks, McCarthy aims to lead his team effectively against the Commanders.
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