JJ McCarthy Cleared to Play Against Commanders

Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy is set to return for the game against the Commanders this Sunday, having cleared concussion protocol on Thursday.

The rookie missed the previous game due to a concussion sustained during the University of Minnesota’s 23-6 defeat to the Packers in Week 12.

McCarthy reported symptoms upon returning home from Green Bay and didn’t recall the exact moment of the injury. “Every game feels like I got kicked in the face by a donkey,” he remarked to reporters.

This season, he’s faced injuries twice, with an ankle sprain in Week 2 also sidelining him for significant time. So far, these issues have kept him out of six games, which is quite a bit for a young player.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell shared his thoughts on the situation, indicating that the focus would shift from McCarthy’s mechanics to his decision-making and avoiding unnecessary hits. “He knows many of the principles we’ve been talking about,” O’Connell stated, emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation as McCarthy gains experience.

This season, McCarthy has not had a stellar run, completing 86 of 159 passes for 929 yards, along with six touchdowns and ten interceptions. However, he’s aiming for a shift in mindset as the season comes to a close. McCarthy expressed a desire to stop overanalyzing his mechanics and instead focus on playing instinctively. “This frees up a lot of space mentally for me to be able to react instinctively,” he said, eager to execute the plays effectively.