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J.J. McCarthy ‘fired up’ to play in Vikings preseason game, his first since injury a year ago
McCarthy’s anticipatory fire has shown in recent days of practice, from defending teammates in a Saturday scuffle and taking the ball on scrambles to flex his run game.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy broke into a grin and let out a chuckle before saying yes, he is excited to go against a defense that is not the Vikings’ own this weekend.
“It’s gonna be a lot of fun,” McCarthy said Wednesday after practice. “It’s gonna be a good test for us.”
It’s been a bumpy road at times for the young signal-caller going against a Vikings defense that returns many starters and has been preaching a mantra of “More is required” even after a strong 2024.
The Vikings’ preseason bout with the Texans will be a breath of fresh air.
The game also marks one of the final boxes in McCarthy’s return from the torn meniscus that robbed him of his rookie season.
“Oh, I was fired up,” McCarthy said of finding out he will play Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. “Obviously last year, it was the last time I played football for that year. To be out there with the guys again before Monday night [Week 1 against the Bears], it’s extremely huge.”
That anticipatory fire has been starting to steam out at recent days of practice, showing just how ready McCarthy is for what will likely be only a series or two of reps against the Texans.
On Saturday, McCarthy was the first to step to running back Aaron Jones' defense after Jones took a hard hit from linebacker Tyler Batty in the backfield the snap after taking another hit downfield from linebacker Brian Asamoah II.
“I know they would do the same thing for me,” McCarthy said Wednesday. “Just as a QB and a former hockey player — I used to be the enforcer out there, believe it or not — I love that stuff, letting my teammates know I got their back. ‘Cause I know they’ve got mine.”
McCarthy has also been flashing his running ability — which he said he wished he could keep “on the low” — extending plays on scrambles. On Wednesday, he chased down Blake Cashman after being intercepted by the linebacker while targeting Jordan Addison on a late read over the middle of the field.
Veteran right tackle Brian O’Neill said McCarthy got on the offensive line in a huddle Wednesday, too, for some procedural issues during team drills. The Vikings have received a few false-start flags as backup center Michael Jurgens has taken additional reps the past two practices.
The show of leadership was one O’Neill said made him happy, and points again to McCarthy’s passion as game reps grow nearer.
It also aligned with what McCarthy said was his priority for his time on the field Saturday: Making sure the starting offense, or as close to it as the Vikings will get in the preseason, functions as a cohesive unit with “one heartbeat.”
Source: Strib
McCarthy’s anticipatory fire has shown in recent days of practice, from defending teammates in a Saturday scuffle and taking the ball on scrambles to flex his run game.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy broke into a grin and let out a chuckle before saying yes, he is excited to go against a defense that is not the Vikings’ own this weekend.
“It’s gonna be a lot of fun,” McCarthy said Wednesday after practice. “It’s gonna be a good test for us.”
It’s been a bumpy road at times for the young signal-caller going against a Vikings defense that returns many starters and has been preaching a mantra of “More is required” even after a strong 2024.
The Vikings’ preseason bout with the Texans will be a breath of fresh air.
The game also marks one of the final boxes in McCarthy’s return from the torn meniscus that robbed him of his rookie season.
“Oh, I was fired up,” McCarthy said of finding out he will play Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. “Obviously last year, it was the last time I played football for that year. To be out there with the guys again before Monday night [Week 1 against the Bears], it’s extremely huge.”
That anticipatory fire has been starting to steam out at recent days of practice, showing just how ready McCarthy is for what will likely be only a series or two of reps against the Texans.
On Saturday, McCarthy was the first to step to running back Aaron Jones' defense after Jones took a hard hit from linebacker Tyler Batty in the backfield the snap after taking another hit downfield from linebacker Brian Asamoah II.
“I know they would do the same thing for me,” McCarthy said Wednesday. “Just as a QB and a former hockey player — I used to be the enforcer out there, believe it or not — I love that stuff, letting my teammates know I got their back. ‘Cause I know they’ve got mine.”
McCarthy has also been flashing his running ability — which he said he wished he could keep “on the low” — extending plays on scrambles. On Wednesday, he chased down Blake Cashman after being intercepted by the linebacker while targeting Jordan Addison on a late read over the middle of the field.
Veteran right tackle Brian O’Neill said McCarthy got on the offensive line in a huddle Wednesday, too, for some procedural issues during team drills. The Vikings have received a few false-start flags as backup center Michael Jurgens has taken additional reps the past two practices.
The show of leadership was one O’Neill said made him happy, and points again to McCarthy’s passion as game reps grow nearer.
It also aligned with what McCarthy said was his priority for his time on the field Saturday: Making sure the starting offense, or as close to it as the Vikings will get in the preseason, functions as a cohesive unit with “one heartbeat.”
Source: Strib
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