Minnesota Vikings fans will finally get their first in-game look at quarterback J.J. McCarthy this weekend.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed to sources at ESPN’s Kevin Seifert Monday that the former first-round pick will play in the team’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Saturday. The moment marks a full-circle return for McCarthy, who missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a right knee injury during his debut preseason game last year.
Now fully healthy, McCarthy has been taking all first-team reps in training camp and enters the 2025 season as the presumed starter.
“You’d love to play him as much as possible,” O’Connell also told Seifert, while noting that reps will be carefully managed with joint practices scheduled next week against the Patriots. “We’ll assess that final preseason game as it comes.”
O’Connell did not say how many snaps McCarthy will play against Houston, nor did he confirm if the rookie will appear in future preseason contests. However, the decision to start him this early signals strong confidence in McCarthy’s recovery and readiness.
Last preseason, former starter Sam Darnold played just one series in the opener before sitting out the final two games. The current quarterback rotation features Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, and rookie Max Brosmer, but McCarthy remains the focal point as Minnesota begins to shape its offense for 2025.
After a year of waiting, Vikings fans will finally see what their young signal-caller can bring to the field—starting Saturday in Houston.