McCarthy's injury

[MaroonBells]

Apparently McCarthy hurt is hand well before the sack/fumble. In fact, he threw a pass to Jones and scrambled for the TD AFTER the injury. After the score, he spun the ball on the turf and slapped hands aggressively with Jurgens in no apparent pain. On the next drive, he handed off to Jones on 1st down. The sack fumble occurred on 2nd down when McCarthy tries to dirt the ball but loses his grip. Brian Burns makes no contact with JJ's hand. Immediately after, JJ was seen on the sidelines in dramatic pain. 

First of all, what the hell's going on? I suppose it's possible the sack/fumble aggravated the injury, but there doesn't appear to be any contact at all with his hand. Second, how many times is this now that JJ has not disclosed an injury? I get that he's passionate about playing, but if I'm KOC I'm just a little bit furious with my young QB.

[supafreak84]

First of all, what the hell's going on? I suppose it's possible the sack/fumble aggravated the injury, but there doesn't appear to be any contact at all with his hand. Second, how many times is this now that JJ has not disclosed an injury? I get that he's passionate about playing, but if I'm KOC I'm just a little bit furious with my young QB.

I think a lot of it has to do with the narrative that he can't stay healthy and him trying to show that he can play through injury. He knows he really hasn't shown enough this year in the way of him proving that he is "the guy" heading into next year and that's a problem for him, OConnell and the organization. If he doesn't play another snap this season, its a huge "incomplete" on the grade sheet  How the organization proceeds at quarterback this offseason is going to hugely interesting. Do you turn the keys over to McCarthy again and just cross your fingers he improves and can stay healthy? That's a huge gamble at this point and if it blows up again, how many in the organization will be on short leashes already going in? 

If it's me, I'm handing it back over to McCarthy, bringing Wentz back as the backup, and if they find a developmental guy they like in the draft to challenge Brosmer for a roster spot, go for it. Worst case is you'll have a definitive answer on McCarthy and can make a decision on picking up his rookie option, and if he tanks, you go into the 2027 draft with a projected plethora of quarterback talent.

[Greylock]

If he keeps trying for extra yardage by going head first instead of sliding the injuries are going to keep happening.

[pattersaur]

OUT this week. Do we need to pull up a chair for this kid next to Greg Oden and Anthony Davis? Ugh.

[purplefaithful]

OUT this week. Do we need to pull up a chair for this kid next to Greg Oden and Anthony Davis? Ugh.

Yup, hairline fracture that most likely wont require anything but time to heal on its own...

I dont think he takes another snap this season.

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Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the team’s Christmas Day game against the Detroit Lions with a hairline fracture in his right throwing hand, coach Kevin O’Connell announced Dec. 23.

Rookie Max Brosmer will start in McCarthy’s place for the second time this season. O’Connell left McCarthy’s status for the Vikings’ season finale against the Green Bay Packers in two weeks up in the air.

McCarthy exited the Vikings’ Dec. 21 game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium shortly before halftime. X-rays were initially negative; the fracture was discovered with further imaging.

O’Connell said he does not believe the “very, very small” hairline fracture will require surgery and that recovery is “like a bone bruise.”

McCarthy was taken to the locker room by medical staff, his helmet off, minutes after what was logged as a strip-sack by Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns on a planned screen play to the left, where wide receiver Justin Jefferson was lined up. Giants safety Tyler Nubin recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown.

A closeup look at the film, though, showed the ball already coming loose from McCarthy’s hand before Burns made contact as he made a second pump as if to throw.

O’Connell said in his postgame news conference Dec. 21 that he believed — but did not have confirmation — the injury occurred before the strip sack and even before McCarthy’s touchdown scramble with 2:01 to go in the second quarter. McCarthy appeared to hit his hand on a defender’s helmet during that drive.

“I have not seen the play, but apparently it happened before his touchdown run,” O’Connell said. “Then when we went out for the next drive, that’s when he seemed to have some discomfort there.”

O’Connell said McCarthy did not express discomfort between the two drives while on the sideline.

On Dec. 23, O’Connell said though there were “potential candidates” for when McCarthy suffered the injury, neither the team nor the quarterback were able to pinpoint an exact one. He did say McCarthy “felt it for real” on the play that ended with Nubin’s touchdown.

McCarthy was seen in the locker room after the game wearing a fingerless glove, but not a cast, on his right hand.

This is McCarthy’s third injury this season and fourth since the Vikings drafted him No. 10 overall in 2024.

STRIB

[supafreak84]

Shut him down. Nothing is gained at this point trotting him out there banged up. This season can't be categorized as anything other than a failure in terms of evaluating McCarthy. Some up, some down, but mostly just injured. Run it back next season and hope for better luck

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With that in mind, I'd also shut down anyone (and I mean anyone) we don't want to see have a freak injury and get shelved for all or most of next season. Jefferson shouldn't see another snap this season. Trot Tai Felton out there with Addison and Nailor.

[AGRforever]

Stress fracture cost my daughter 6 weeks of the XC season.

[medaille]

If he keeps trying for extra yardage by going head first instead of sliding the injuries are going to keep happening.

Nah, it's safer to go head first, at least if you're diving to avoid contact.  The guys sliding take the catastrophic hits.

I think what gets you is trying to get every last yard at a time when it's not needed.  Just get what you can and dive out of the way of contact.

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Yeah, got to shut him down. Worst thing that could happen is an injury that keeps him from practicing in the offseason for 6-8 weeks plus. He's got to fix his mechanics hopefully before training camp, and then come into camp looking to solidify those gains and start working on the offense/analyzing the defense part of football.

If it were for real, I'm sure he could go out there and play, but what would be the point here.

[JimmyinSD]

Nah, it's safer to go head first, at least if you're diving to avoid contact.  The guys sliding take the catastrophic hits.

I think what gets you is trying to get every last yard at a time when it's not needed.  Just get what you can and dive out of the way of contact.

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Yeah, got to shut him down.  Worst thing that could happen is an injury that keeps him from practicing in the offseason for 6-8 weeks plus.  He's got to fix his mechanics hopefully before training camp, and then come into camp looking to solidify those gains and start working on the offense/analyzing the defense part of football.

If it were for real, I'm sure he could go out there and play, but what would be the point here.

Iirc, there was a study done that says head first leads to less injuries because its more natural and allows the QB to get to the ground quicker. Where the feet first slide requires them to get taller prior to getting lower.  I'm pretty sure I heard it discussed during one of the games this year.

[Zanary]

Iirc, there was a study done that says head first leads to less injuries because its more natural and allows the QB to get to the ground quicker. Where the feet first slide requires them to get taller prior to getting lower.  I'm pretty sure I heard it discussed during one of the games this year.

Honestly, he seems to tuck his head into his shoulders when he dives/slides, which looks LESS dangerous than many typical slides.

Plus, he lands with the ball further forward, which would fit his personality (as I've seen it, anyway).

Given his durability through college, I'm trying to accept that part of the "Vikings Curse" is that his career would start out "snakebit". I still like a lot of his upside, but the "best ability is durability" quote rings loud, and it's definitely a concern. If he can, I dunno, diet on a ton of calcium and similar strengthening nutrients in the offseason as his mechanics get upgraded, he could become what we all hope for.

The ironic thing, to me, is that the same people who are wailing over the loss of Darnold and screaming to drop JJM forget that Darnold needed time to get his game together, and I wonder how angry they'd be if we DID ditch him and he was a Pro Bowl QB for an opponent in 2029....