Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee/foot) and left guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) did not practice Wednesday because of injuries suffered in last week’s 23-6 loss to the Packers. Both could practice later this week, according to coach Kevin O’Connell.

Jackson “will have to improve from where he’s at right now to have a chance to play,” O’Connell said, “which is very possible.”

Tackle Justin Skule and guard Blake Brandel filled in for Darrisaw and Jackson in Green Bay.

Quarterback Max Brosmer ran the first-team offense during Wednesday’s practice while J.J. McCarthy threw passes in position drills but did not participate in full-team sessions. McCarthy remains in the concussion protocol after taking five sacks against the Packers. 

Quarterback John Wolford operated the scout-team offense, O’Connell said.

McCarthy was among seven Vikings players who had their practice reps capped on Wednesday, including receiver Justin Jefferson (rest), edge rusher Jonathan Greenard (shoulder), edge rusher Dallas Turner (hip), safety Josh Metellus (knee/shoulder), safety Harrison Smith (rest) and safety Theo Jackson (neck).

Jefferson said the team is putting less stress on his legs entering Week 13.

“Still do walkthrough and everything,” he said, “just not the fast periods.”

Startribune

Count me in as a curiousity seeker here.
Sorta like people go to NASCAR races to see crashes.
It can't be worse.

Analysis: Vikings Nation needs to stay patient with J.J. McCarthy

Ask Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield and Peyton Manning whether final judgment should be rendered on McCarthy after only six career games.

If you’re among the few humans left with the patience to read these words, please reduce them to a catchy video soundbite and share with the others in Vikings Nation.

This is a tale about some young quarterbacks who were gosh-awful through six games of NFL careers that began as first-round draft picks.

The first fella was terrible. In his sixth game, he threw five interceptions and posted a 42.2 passer rating as his record fell to 1-5 with a 53.7 completion percentage, five touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.

His name: Matthew Stafford.

This next guy was even worse. In his sixth game, he completed 48.8% of his passes as his record fell to 1-5 with six touchdown passes and 14 interceptions.

His name: Peyton Manning.

We could go on.

We could mention how Drake Maye started 2-4 while completing 57.5% of his passes with New England last year. We could mention that Baker Mayfield started 1-5 while completing 58.7% of his passes with Cleveland in 2018.

None of this is meant to say the Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy will be the MVP front-runner when he’s 37, like Stafford. Or win five MVPs and stroll into the Hall of Fame, like Manning. Or start next season 10-2 while completing a league-best 71% of his passes on a team that sits atop its conference, like Maye is doing in Year 2 with New England.

It is, however, meant to somehow influence Vikings Nation and national media folks to CALM THE HECK DOWN! Just a whiff of something resembling a hint of patience would be a good start.

McCarthy is 2-4. He’s a 54.1% passer. He has thrown six touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. His passer rating is 57.9.

He has not been good. And now he’s in the concussion protocol and unlikely to play Sunday at Seattle.

But…

Six games, people. SIX.

So, to answer the ridiculous but predictably uber-impatient NFL question of the week, no, the Vikings shouldn’t move on from McCarthy. Not now or next week if undrafted rookie Max Brosmer somehow helps upset Sam Darnold and the Seahawks.

Good Lord.

Franchise-altering decisions were made with McCarthy as the focal point. More will follow. Brosmer? Sorry, Max, but please. In this movie, your name comes at the end of the credits as “third quarterback to appear.”

Granted, McCarthy’s sixth game included a second half in which the Vikings posted 4 yards while holding the ball for 8½ minutes in a stinker at Green Bay. But still…

Six games. SIX.

Quarterback is a different animal. Understood. But can’t some of the oxygen spent on destroying McCarthy since the second half of the Packers game be spread to, among others…

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw looking like T.J. Clemmings against Micah Parsons?
Center Ryan Kelly looking like Garrett Bradbury getting run over by Parsons?
Brian O’Neill not looking like the top-three right tackle he was a year ago, especially on that fourth-and-1 tackle for a loss in the red zone?
Adam Thielen dropping a pass?
Blake Cashman getting run over by a backup running back while in great position in the gap on first-and-goal from the 1?
Josh Metellus handing the Packers their first touchdown with a 24-yard pass interference penalty?
Myles Price not getting the heck away from a punted ball he chose not to field?

Yes, one is well aware that there are other tales about young quarterbacks who were gosh-awful through six games and never turned it around.

Like McCarthy, Josh Rosen was a 10th overall pick (2018) who started 2-4. The Arizona Cardinals gave up on him after 13 games (3-10) to select Kyler Murray No. 1 overall the next spring en route to paying him a now-franchise-choking $46.1 million a year.

Does anyone believe the Cardinals hold the blueprint for success at making quarterback decisions?

Ryan Leaf started 2-4 with one touchdown pass and 12 interceptions as the second overall pick in 1998. He lasted three years, went 4-14 with the Chargers, 0-3 with the Dolphins and become synonymous with draft busts.

Christian Ponder started 1-5 as the 12th overall pick of the Vikings in 2011. Believe it or not, he had a higher completion percentage (56.3) than McCarthy. The Vikings gave up on him completely after four years and 36 games (14-21-1).

Could McCarthy end up following the paths of Rosen, Leaf or Ponder? Possibly.

But McCarthy has a more stable franchise than Rosen had, better coaching than Ponder had (we should try to remember what Kevin O’Connell did for Darnold’s career and bank account just last season) and appears to be infinitely more mature than Leaf was as a player or rich, young person off the field.

Where McCarthy goes from here is anyone’s guess. But, for gosh sakes, he’s six games into his journey.

Patience, people.

And if you fail at practicing some sort of patience, go ask the QB-starved Browns, Jets and Giants — combined record: 7-27 — if they wish they had been more patient with their former first-round draft picks Mayfield, Darnold and Daniel Jones — combined record: 22-11.

STRIB

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6834625...hy-injury/

Kwesi?

Does anyone trust him and his brain trust to run another offseason?  Other then Addison, and maybe Dallas Turner (Not for the price we paid), I can't think of another draft pick he has made worth beans.  I suppose you can say Donovan Jackson, but is he hurt again?

I know I am bitter and angry these days, but the Vikings have 8 draft picks in this upcoming draft..I would rather put a poll up on Packers.com and let them pick for us then have Kwesi ruin another draft.  

And I have to say, the dramatic down of McCarthy is very Viking.  We didn't see it coming.  Ohh I am sure there are some I told you's out there, but we had the Coach of the Year.  A resurrection of Sam Darnold.  The hope pushed forward that McCarthy can do all this...and it's not just bad...it's HISTORICALLY bad.  Hell, I would take Shough from New Orleans right now over McCarthy.  Every week, I hope it gets better, and I can say after this week...can it get worse?

Hillbilly strong and a very lucky Vikings draft lol! 

================================

Former Vikings five-time first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Kevin Williams is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time in his sixth year of eligibility.

Announced by the Hall on Tuesday morning, the list of 26 modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2026 includes five players in their first year of eligibility, 19 players who were semifinalists a year ago and two players not in their first year of eligibility who have reached this stage in the process for the first time — Williams, a 2000s All-Decade member who retired following the 2015 season, and offensive tackle Lomas Brown, who retired after the 2002 season.

Among the list of five semifinalists in their first year of eligibility is Larry Fitzgerald Jr., a Minneapolis native and Holy Angels graduate who played all 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and ranks second all time in NFL history in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492), and sixth in receiving touchdowns (121). He’s a likely first-ballot choice for the Class of 2026.

Williams’ case has gained momentum of late as more attention has been focused on the fact he’s one of only five eligible players in NFL history with an All-Decade honor and five or more first-team All-Pro selections who is not in the Hall of Fame. The other four:

Lavern Dilweg, a five-time first-team All-Pro on the 1920s All-Decade team.
Grover Ox Emerson, a five-time first-team All-Pro on the 1930s All-Decade team.
Del Shofner, a five-time first-team All-Pro on the 1960s All-Decade team.
Luke Kuechly, a five-time first-team All-Pro on the 2010s All-Decade team.

Kuechly, Willie Anderson, Torry Holt and Adam Vinatieri became automatic semifinalists when they reached the top seven a year ago but did not receive the necessary 80% vote from the Hall’s 50-member selection committee.

Joining Fitzgerald as first-year eligible semifinalists are Drew Brees, Frank Gore, Philip Rivers and Jason Witten. Other semifinalists are Eli Manning, Fred Taylor, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Richmond Webb, Steve Wisniewski, Marshal Yanda, Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas, Darren Woodson, Terrell Suggs, Robert Mathis and Vince Wilfork.

The original list of candidates for the Class of 2026 had 128 players. 

The Hall’s Modern Era Players Screening Committee reduced that number to 52. The 50-member selection committee chose the 26 semifinalists and will reduce that number to 15 finalists later this year.

The ninth pick of the 2003 NFL draft, Williams played 11 of his 13 seasons with the Vikings. In his first eight seasons, Williams earned all five of his All-Pro selections, all six Pro Bowl nods and notched 49½ of his 63 career sacks.

STRIB

When I look back on the plethora of mistakes this franchise routinely makes, I think letting Hunter walk in free agency for nothing was one of the biggest. This guy continues to be one of the best overall players in the league. Already has 11 sacks this year and has that Houston defense the #1 ranked unit in football. His numbers alone dictate he'll be in the Hall of Fame....and we let him walk....for nothing. If there was never any intention of re-signing him (somehow) then trade him and get something for him. He had 16.5 sacks his last season with us and we just let him inexplicably walk out the door as a free agent. Just mind boggling

Damn age is a bitch. I threw out my back (first time) changing a lightbulb yesterday. I’m in so much pain I used a cain to make it to the bathroom lol. 

I’m only in my mid 40s so I have no idea what 50+ is going to be. 

On top of that the Vikings are years away from competing. I sure hope they get one before I die.

Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD Int Y/A AY/A Rate

169 320 52.8 2074 10 12 6.5 5.42 67.9

Josh Allen guys

Big game and I'll be rooting for the Kitties at high noon...