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Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy in concussion protocol after Packers' loss
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with reporters on Monday at TCO Performance Center and said quarterback J.J. McCarthy is in the concussion protocol. He reported symptoms on the team's flight home from Green Bay Sunday night. If he can't play this week at the Seattle Seahawks, rookie Max Brosmer would be in line to get the start.
EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings are at the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday, and they may not have J.J. McCarthy on the field.
J.J. McCarthy in concussion protocol
What we know:
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday McCarthy is in the concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on the flight home Sunday night. O’Connell wouldn’t rule him out for Sunday’s game, but if he can’t play, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer would get the start.
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J.J. McCarthy after Vikings loss: "It sucks, I've got to be better'
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy speaks with reporters after a 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. McCarthy threw for just 87 yards, was intercepted twice and sacked five times.
O’Connell couldn’t pinpoint an exact play when it happened, but said McCarthy’s injury had to have been late in the game.
"We’re looking into it as it had to be late based on how the game went. I think it’s too early to tell that, just take it a day at a time and leave it to the medical professionals. I’m a huge proponent of the protocol and the procedures in place," O’Connell said. "I’m not ready to make any sort of designation for the game."
A rough season for McCarthy
Why you should care:
Monday’s news fuels social media speculation that it might be a "soft benching" for McCarthy. He was 12-of-19 for 87 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions at Lambeau Field. He was also sacked five times. It was his worst game of the season.
Some of that speculation started after McCarthy suffered an ankle sprain during their Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. McCarthy missed five games, and in six starts, he's 2-4 with 929 yards passing, six touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
O’Connell said the team still has belief in McCarthy.
"It’s definitely not ideal. It’s unfortunate, all you want to do is go back to work. I think guys are behind him, they support him," O’Connell said. "These stretches where we’ve fallen on some difficult circumstances, I look at as my job to fix."
If McCarthy doesn't clear the concussion protocol, Brosmer will get the keys to the offense. He came to the Vikings as an undrafted free agent after spending his final college season at Minnesota. In three preseason games with the Vikings, Brosmer was 35-of-58 for 364 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
"Ton of confidence in Max, all he’s done since he’s been here is show up every single day and respond and answer the bell," O'Connell said.
Other injury updates
Dig deeper:
O’Connell didn’t have much of an update on Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson and Josh Metellus. Darrisaw suffered foot and ankle injuries Sunday, and didn’t return. Jackson suffered an ankle injury, and didn’t return. Metellus suffered a knee injury and returned, and later suffered a left shoulder injury.
What's next:
The Vikings (4-7) are at the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday, which means a reunion with Sam Darnold.