The Minnesota Vikings have been struggling in 2025 due to quarterback play. After a solid first game, second-year passer J.J. McCarthy suffered an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for multiple games. He returned in Week 9 and has now received more brutal injury news.
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Minnesota is 1-4 in their last five games, and McCarthy has not looked to be the franchise option the team was hoping for. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke about the young signal caller’s progress, often stating that it takes time for things to click.
McCarthy himself also spoke about cleaning up his game, but that has yet to happen. Now, it appears that he may be sidelined due to another brutal injury.
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Per The Athletic’s Alec Lewsi, O’Connell announced to reporters that McCarthy is now in concussion protocol after revealing that he experienced symptoms during the team’s flight back home.
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Training staff and doctors confirmed the idea to put McCarthy in the concussion protocol, which he will need to clear to make it back to the field.
This is brutal news for McCarthy, who is having a very rough year. This is also a huge hit to the Vikings, who are now presumably without a veteran to start.
The only other quarterback on the roster is rookie Max Brosmer. John Wolford is the practice squad quarterback and is likely not the answer the team would need if McCarthy does not pass the concussion protocol.
The Vikings are 4-7 on the season, and are a game or two away from being eliminated from the playoffs. Teams that are 10-7 to finish the regular season have a chance to make the playoffs, but a lot of help would be needed. The same thing can be said for 9-8 teams.
With McCarthy potentially out, and the Vikings set to face the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders, and Dallas Cowboys next, the 2025 season might be a wash.
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