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EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings will start quarterback Max Brosmer in Sunday's game at the Seattle Seahawks, coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Friday, as J.J. McCarthy remains in the concussion protocol.
McCarthy reported concussion symptoms following the Vikings' 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. He advanced far enough through the protocol to participate in practice on a limited basis this week, but O'Connell elected to rule him out Friday. Veteran John Wolford will be elevated from the Vikings' practice squad to back up Brosmer. The Vikings also signed Desmond Ridder to their practice squad earlier this week.
"He's progressing," O'Connell said of McCarthy, "but just not able to clear the last few steps. And quite honestly, I just have pretty strong feelings on just when guys do get a concussion and where they're at in regards to the next week. I always want to leave it open to the doctor's ultimately say and decision and the protocol is in place for a reason."
Sunday will be the sixth game McCarthy has missed this season because of injury. He missed all of last season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during a preseason game. Since the Vikings made him the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, McCarthy has missed 24 of a possible 30 games, including playoffs.
More concerning is the way McCarthy has played in the six starts he has made. Entering Week 13, he ranked last in the NFL in QBR (24.8), completion percentage (54.1) and touchdown/interception ratio (0.6). The Vikings are 2-4 in those games.
Brosmer, an undrafted rookie who spent his final college season at the University of Minnesota, opened training camp as the Vikings' No. 4 quarterback. At 24, he is two years older and has twice as much college experience as McCarthy. The Vikings were impressed with Brosmer's quick processing skills during training camp, and he beat out veteran Brett Rypien for the No. 3 job.
Brosmer said Friday that he expected to have nerves before the game but wanted to avoid being nervous.
"I think for quarterbacks, nerves versus nervous is really important to distinguish between," Brosmer said. "I think it's great to have nerves because that's what locks you in, but the nervous piece comes with anxiousness and that's not me and that's not this team. I think the nerves, you grow up playing from third and fourth grade and you're like, 'I can't wait for game day. I'm riding in the car with my mom to go play Saturday with the guys and the kids playing little peewee football.' You have those nerves. That's what makes you great. And then you go to the NFL, it's the exact same thing."
The Vikings signed Carson Wentz to back up McCarthy on Aug. 24, and Wentz started five games while McCarthy recovered from a high right ankle sprain. Brosmer served as Wentz's backup during that period and remained in that role when McCarthy returned, which coincided with Wentz undergoing season-ending surgery to his left shoulder.
Brosmer will be playing behind an offensive line that will be missing one and perhaps two of its primary starters. Left guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) is out for Sunday's game, and left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee/foot) is questionable.
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McCarthy reported concussion symptoms following the Vikings' 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. He advanced far enough through the protocol to participate in practice on a limited basis this week, but O'Connell elected to rule him out Friday. Veteran John Wolford will be elevated from the Vikings' practice squad to back up Brosmer. The Vikings also signed Desmond Ridder to their practice squad earlier this week.
"He's progressing," O'Connell said of McCarthy, "but just not able to clear the last few steps. And quite honestly, I just have pretty strong feelings on just when guys do get a concussion and where they're at in regards to the next week. I always want to leave it open to the doctor's ultimately say and decision and the protocol is in place for a reason."
Sunday will be the sixth game McCarthy has missed this season because of injury. He missed all of last season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during a preseason game. Since the Vikings made him the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, McCarthy has missed 24 of a possible 30 games, including playoffs.
More concerning is the way McCarthy has played in the six starts he has made. Entering Week 13, he ranked last in the NFL in QBR (24.8), completion percentage (54.1) and touchdown/interception ratio (0.6). The Vikings are 2-4 in those games.
Brosmer, an undrafted rookie who spent his final college season at the University of Minnesota, opened training camp as the Vikings' No. 4 quarterback. At 24, he is two years older and has twice as much college experience as McCarthy. The Vikings were impressed with Brosmer's quick processing skills during training camp, and he beat out veteran Brett Rypien for the No. 3 job.
Brosmer said Friday that he expected to have nerves before the game but wanted to avoid being nervous.
"I think for quarterbacks, nerves versus nervous is really important to distinguish between," Brosmer said. "I think it's great to have nerves because that's what locks you in, but the nervous piece comes with anxiousness and that's not me and that's not this team. I think the nerves, you grow up playing from third and fourth grade and you're like, 'I can't wait for game day. I'm riding in the car with my mom to go play Saturday with the guys and the kids playing little peewee football.' You have those nerves. That's what makes you great. And then you go to the NFL, it's the exact same thing."
The Vikings signed Carson Wentz to back up McCarthy on Aug. 24, and Wentz started five games while McCarthy recovered from a high right ankle sprain. Brosmer served as Wentz's backup during that period and remained in that role when McCarthy returned, which coincided with Wentz undergoing season-ending surgery to his left shoulder.
Brosmer will be playing behind an offensive line that will be missing one and perhaps two of its primary starters. Left guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) is out for Sunday's game, and left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee/foot) is questionable.
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