Nightmare Debut: McCarthy Hurt After Just 18 Snaps
Vikings Quarterback J.J. McCarthy Leaves Preseason Game Early After Getting "Banged Up"
Published: August 22, 2026 | By: Kevin Seifert (ESPN Staff Writer)
What Happened in Saturday’s Game?
The Minnesota Vikings played a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. They lost 13-3, but the biggest story was about their young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.
Here’s the simple breakdown:
- McCarthy played only the first quarter — 18 total plays (snaps) over four drives
- Coach Kevin O’Connell wanted him to play longer — at least one more drive
- But McCarthy got "banged up" — he took several hard hits and rose slowly after one play
- O’Connell pulled him to be safe — "Once he was a little hobbled there… he seemed to be fine"
IMPORTANT POINT: "Banged up" is football talk for getting knocked around — sore, bruised, or slightly hurt — but not necessarily a serious injury.
McCarthy’s Injury History: Why Everyone Is Watching Closely
This isn’t McCarthy’s first health scare. Since the Vikings drafted him 10th overall in 2024, he’s dealt with a string of injuries:
| Season | Injury | Games Missed |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 (Rookie Year) | Torn meniscus (right knee) | Entire season |
| 2025 | High ankle sprain (right ankle) | 7 games |
| 2025 | Concussion | Included in the 7 games |
| 2025 | Hairline fracture (right hand) | Limited practice time |
KEY TAKEAWAY: Because of this history, any time McCarthy gets hit hard or leaves early, coaches, teammates, and fans hold their breath.
How Did McCarthy Actually Play?
Stats line: 5 of 10 passes completed | 81 yards | 0 touchdowns | 0 interceptions
The good:
- Threw a beautiful 50-yard pass to rookie receiver Tai Felton
- Set up the Vikings at the Ravens’ 10-yard line
The not-so-good:
- First pass: Overthrew a wide-open Myles Price on the sideline
- In the red zone: Overthrew Felton and Price in the end zone on 2nd and 4th down
- Took 3 hits + 1 sack in just 18 snaps
- Accuracy struggles — something he’ll need to clean up
What McCarthy Said After the Game
McCarthy owned his mistakes like a pro:
"Those are just throws I’ve got to make. [Coaches] called great plays, but at the end of the day, I know I can make those throws. And it’s great to have that experience logged in… to be able to make that throw next time."
On whether he felt rushed:
"I wouldn’t say I felt sped up. It’s just sometimes you hit them, sometimes you miss. And it’s… what preseason’s all about. You get it out now and log that feeling… and make sure you hit it the next time."
ELI5 Translation: Preseason is like practice with real hitting. It’s supposed to be messy. McCarthy is treating his misses as data — "I missed here, so next time I’ll adjust."
Where Things Stand: The Vikings QB Depth Chart
Coach O’Connell set the pecking order last week:
- Kyler Murray — QB1 (the starter)
- J.J. McCarthy — QB2 (primary backup)
- Carson Wentz — QB3 (veteran backup)
- Max Brosmer — QB4 (rookie, long shot)
But here’s the twist: O’Connell also said he wants the position to be competitive. That means McCarthy still has to earn his spot every day.
What Happens Next? (The Next 7 Days)
The Vikings have a critical final week of training camp before their next preseason game:
- Monday–Thursday: Practices at Vikings headquarters (TCO Performance Center)
- Friday, August 29: Preseason game @ Denver Broncos
- Saturday/Sunday: Roster cuts — teams must trim from 90 to 53 players
What to watch for:
- Does McCarthy practice fully this week? (He says: "I don’t imagine [missing practice] at all. Just a little banged up, and it’s football.")
- Does he get more playing time vs. Denver?
- Can he sharpen his accuracy and avoid big hits?
Summary: The Big Picture
| Good News | Concerns |
|---|---|
| McCarthy says he’s fine | Injury history makes any knock scary |
| Got live reps against a real defense | Accuracy was shaky in the red zone |
| Showed flashes (50-yard dime to Felton) | Took 4 hits/sacks in 18 snaps |
| Mentally tough — owns mistakes | Still QB2 behind Kyler Murray |
| Expects to practice this week | Final preseason game is a must-watch |
Bottom line: McCarthy is a talented young QB with bad injury luck. Saturday was a mixed bag — some good throws, some misses, and a scary moment when he got piled on. The next week will tell us a lot about whether he’s ready to be the real backup (or even push Murray) when the regular season starts.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Is J.J. McCarthy seriously injured?
A: Doesn’t sound like it. Coach O’Connell said "he seemed to be fine" and McCarthy himself said he doesn’t expect to miss practice. But with his history, the Vikings will be extra cautious.
Why did the Vikings draft McCarthy if Kyler Murray is the starter?
A: Murray is on a one-year deal. McCarthy was drafted as the quarterback of the future. This year is about learning, staying healthy, and being ready if Murray gets hurt — or takes over in 2027.
What’s a "preseason game" and why does it matter?
A: Think of it as a scrimmage that counts for evaluation but not the standings. Teams play 3 preseason games to:
- Evaluate young players (like McCarthy)
- Test playbooks against real opponents
- Decide who makes the final 53-man roster
Who are Tai Felton and Myles Price?
A: Both are rookie wide receivers trying to make the team. Felton caught the big 50-yard pass. Price was open on the first play but McCarthy overthrew him. Both had chances to score later but couldn’t come down with the ball.
When do the "real" games start?
A: The 2026 NFL regular season kicks off the week of September 7–8. The Vikings’ exact Week 1 opponent and time will be announced soon.
Stay tuned to ESPN for updates on McCarthy’s practice participation this week and full coverage of the Vikings’ final preseason game in Denver!