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Vikings to Sit J.J. McCarthy in Second Preseason Game After Stellar Patriots Practices

O’Connell framed the decision as injury risk mitigation coupled with confidence in McCarthy’s readiness, assigning game reps to backup Sam Howell

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J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 9, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Overview

  • McCarthy shined during two joint practices with New England, completing a streak of 13 straight passes and several red-zone touchdowns.
  • Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Thursday that McCarthy will not play Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium to preserve his workload for the regular season.
  • Sam Howell, who led the opener against Houston with 105 passing yards, will start in McCarthy’s place to showcase depth before final roster cuts.
  • The move aligns with O’Connell’s philosophy of minimizing starter preseason snaps to reduce injury risk without compromising readiness.
  • After a brief debut (4-of-7 for 30 yards) in the opener, McCarthy’s practice dominance further cements his role as the Week 1 starter at Chicago.