Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Struggles continue in Week 11 loss
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McCarthy completed 16 of 32 passes for 150 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Bears.
McCarthy turned 19 first-half pass attempts into just 74 yards and threw two interceptions as the Vikings took a 10-3 deficit into the locker room. He didn't complete another pass until less than three minutes remained in the fourth quarter, but McCarthy then proceeded to engineer a go-ahead drive capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison, which gave the Vikings a 17-16 lead. Chicago answered with a game-winning field goal on the game's final play, overshadowing McCarthy's late-game heroics. The struggling McCarthy has thrown for 158 yards or fewer in four of five starts heading into a Week 12 trip to Green Bay.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Seen warming up with wrap on hand
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McCarthy was seen warming up before Sunday's game with a wrap on his right throwing hand, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. However, it's the same bandage he had on his hand throughout the week of practice, Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
McCarthy opened Week 11 prep Wednesday as limited due to a right hand injury, but he was not on the injury report thereafter and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Chicago. McCarthy suffered the right hand injury after hitting it on the helmet of a Ravens defender while following through on a pass attempt in Week 10. While McCarthy does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game, the use of a wrap on his hand in pre-game warmups shows it could be of some concern.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Cleared to play
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McCarthy (hand) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Chicago, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
This was expected following McCarthy's return to full practice participation Thursday. He hit his right hand on the helmet of a Baltimore defender during the Week 10 loss, perhaps impacting his accuracy down the stretch, but it sounds like he's throwing passes and taking snaps without any problem 4-to-5 days later.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Full practice Thursday
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McCarthy (right hand) practiced fully Thursday.
McCarthy opened Week 11 prep Wednesday as limited due to a right hand injury, which stemmed from hitting it on the helmet of a Ravens defender while following through on a throw this past Sunday. He's been wearing padding on the hand in question in practice this week, but on Thursday he was able to take snaps under center and also attempt passes, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. McCarthy's ensuing listing of full indicates that he's good to go ahead of Sunday's game versus the Bears.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Week 11 Waiver Priority List
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McCarthy was bad in Week 10 against Baltimore with 16.7 Fantasy points, but he should bounce back against Chicago in Week 11. The Bears are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and McCarthy scored 26.2 Fantasy points at Chicago in Week 1. He's not my favorite streaming quarterback in Week 11, but the matchup is favorable, so consider adding McCarthy for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: QBs to Sit
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McCarthy has made three starts in his NFL career this season, and he scored at least 22.9 Fantasy points in two of them. He has yet to pass for more than 158 yards, but he does have two rushing touchdowns. There's a lot to like about his Fantasy potential, but I don't expect McCarthy to perform at a high level against the Ravens. Baltimore is getting healthy on defense and has now limited Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams and Tua Tagovailoa to 11.8 Fantasy points or less in three games in a row. I would only consider McCarthy in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in Week 10.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Week 10 Waiver Priority List
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McCarthy returned from his five-game absence with an ankle injury in Week 9 at Detroit and had a solid Fantasy outing. It wasn't pretty as he was 14-of-25 passing for 143 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, along with nine carries for 12 yards and a touchdown. But he has now scored at least 22.9 Fantasy points in two of three starts, and hopefully he'll continue to improve as the season goes on. I don't love his matchup against Baltimore in Week 10, but he is worth starting in deeper leagues in Week 11 against Chicago. And then he gets Washington, Dallas, the Giants and Detroit in the Fantasy playoffs (Weeks 14-17), which could be fantastic. McCarthy is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Three total TDs in upset win
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McCarthy completed 14 of 25 passes for 143 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding nine rushes for 12 yards and another score in the Vikings' 27-24 win over the Lions on Sunday. He also fumbled once but recovered.
The second-year signal-caller made his return from a five-game absence and delivered a significant upset in a difficult road environment. McCarthy's final stat line wasn't exactly scintillating, yet it was still fantasy-friendly thanks to his 10- and seven-yard touchdown passes to Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson in the first half, as well as his own nine-yard rush with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter. McCarthy flashed encouraging chemistry with both Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and he'll head into a Week 10 home showdown against the Ravens with plenty of momentum.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Week 9 Waiver Priority List
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McCarthy (ankle) hasn't played since Week 2, but he's back in Week 9 and will hopefully keep the job for the remainder of the season. In two games this year, McCarthy scored 26.2 Fantasy points against Chicago in Week 1 and 2.8 points against Atlanta in Week 2, which is when he was injured. His upcoming schedule is favorable against Detroit in Week 9, Baltimore in Week 10 and Chicago in Week 11, and hopefully, he'll connect well with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. There's plenty of upside for McCarthy, and he's worth stashing in all leagues if you need a quarterback for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Will start Week 9 if healthy
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Coach Kevin O'Connell said after Thursday night's loss to the Chargers that McCarthy (ankle) will start Week 9 against the Lions if he's healthy, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
McCarthy hasn't played since Week 2, as Carson Wentz has started each of the Vikings' last five contests. However, Wentz -- who has been playing through a painful left (non-throwing) shoulder issue -- was sacked five times Thursday and looked defeated at the end of the loss to the Chargers, as he was pressured and hit relentlessly by the Los Angeles defense. The Vikings have dropped two games in a row and three of the last four with Wentz at quarterback. McCarthy has been logging limited practices of late, and he'll now have 10 days to try and get ready for a date with Detroit.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Serving as emergency QB again
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McCarthy (ankle) is listed as inactive Thursday at the Chargers but will be available as the emergency third quarterback, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
McCarthy thus won't be active for a fifth consecutive game due to his ongoing recovery from a high right-ankle sprain, but his standing as the emergency third QB for a second straight contest gives him a chance to play if both starter Carson Wentz and backup Max Brosmer leave Thursday's matchup due to injuries. McCarthy himself has put together back-to-back weeks of limited on-field work, and coach Kevin O'Connell even told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com that the second-year quarterback's workout Tuesday was "just not there," but could have been if the Vikings had a Sunday game on the schedule. McCarthy's next chance for his first action since Week 2 is Sunday, Nov. 2 in Detroit.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Officially questionable for Week 8
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McCarthy (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game at the Chargers.
Coach Kevin O'Connell announced Tuesday that McCarthy was slated to serve as the emergency third quarterback Week 8 for a second consecutive contest, meaning he'll be inactive and designated as such once the Vikings post their list about 90 minutes before Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. O'Connell also told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com that McCarthy's on-field workout Tuesday was "just not there" but could have been if Minnesota had a Sunday game on tap. In any case, Carson Wentz (left shoulder) will get the start Thursday while McCarthy will turn his focus to a Week 9 road matchup against the Lions on Sunday, Nov. 2.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Not ready to start Week 8
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Head coach Kevin O'Connell announced that McCarthy (ankle) will be inactive as the Vikings' emergency No. 3 quarterback for Thursday's game against the Chargers.
McCarthy was able to turn in three limited practices last week, but the Vikings chose to keep him inactive for this past Sunday's loss to the Eagles while he continues to recover from a right high-ankle sprain. Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, O'Connell noted that McCarthy displayed some progress in an on-field workout Tuesday and might have had a shot at playing Week 8 if the Vikings had a Sunday game, but the coach conceded that the young signal-caller is "just not there" yet. As a result, Carson Wentz (shoulder) will pick up his fifth consecutive start while Max Brosmer serves as the No. 2 quarterback, but the top job is expected to be returned to McCarthy once he's 100 percent healthy. McCarthy looks like he'll have a chance to return to the lineup Nov. 2 at Detroit.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Inactive as third quarterback
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McCarthy (ankle) is inactive as the Vikings' emergency No. 3 quarterback for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Following the Vikings' Week 6 bye, McCarthy was able to return to practice this week for the first time since suffering a right high-ankle sprain in a Sept. 14 loss to the Falcons. However, McCarthy practiced Wednesday through Friday only on a limited basis, prompting the Vikings to hold him out for another week while Carson Wentz starts and Max Brosmer serves as his top backup. The Vikings plan to hold off on a decision on a permanent starter at quarterback until McCarthy is 100 percent healthy, and at this stage, the second-year signal-caller may not be a realistic option for the club until Week 9 in Detroit on Nov. 2. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, McCarthy's ankle sprain was viewed as a six-week injury at the time he got hurt, and with a Thursday night game in Los Angeles versus the Chargers on tap following Sunday's game against Philadelphia, Minnesota doesn't have much incentive to rush the 22-year-old back into action on a short week.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Stays limited in practice
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McCarthy (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
McCarthy continues to operate with a cap on his practice reps after getting back onto the field for the first time since sustaining a high right-ankle sprain Week 2 versus the Falcons. Coach Kevin O'Connell previously said McCarthy would need to put together a week of full sessions in order to start, but he also relayed to Alec Lewis of The Athletic on Wednesday that he wasn't ready to name a starter between McCarthy and Carson Wentz (shoulder), the latter of whom has been a full practice participant this week. There's a decent chance O'Connell will make an announcement Friday ahead of Sunday's contest against the Eagles, but McCarthy at least is back in the conversation to lead the Vikings offense on game days.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Starter for Week 7 TBD
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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said both McCarthy (ankle) and Carson Wentz (shoulder) will participate in practice Wednesday but declined to name a starter for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
McCarthy returned to practice Monday, coming off Minnesota's bye, for the first time since suffering a right high-ankle sprain Sept. 14. O'Connell had previously indicated that McCarthy would require a full week of practice before being cleared for a return to the lineup, but it remains to be seen whether Wentz might have a chance to retain the No. 1 gig in the event that both quarterbacks are healthy enough to play. Wentz, for his part, is managing an injury to his left, non-throwing shoulder, and O'Connell said he "took a normal amount of throws" at practice Monday.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Ready for on-field work
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Head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that McCarthy (ankle) will get "extensive work" on the field while the Vikings are on bye Week 6, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Assuming McCarthy's right high-ankle sprain responds well to the on-field activity over the next few days, the second-year quarterback is expected to be reintegrated into practices in Week 7 following a three-week absence. Veteran Carson Wentz started in each of the last three games while McCarthy has been sidelined and led Minnesota to a 2-1 record, but Wentz's status is now in question after he was briefly forced out of this past Sunday's win over the Browns with a left shoulder injury. O'Connell didn't provide many details on Wentz's injury Monday, beyond noting that the 32-year-old is "pretty sore" and set for further evaluation. The practice activity of both quarterbacks will be worth monitoring in Week 7, and O'Connell will likely take into account the health of both signal-callers before naming a starter ahead of the Vikings' next game Oct. 19 versus the Eagles.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Ruled out for Sunday
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The Viking have ruled out McCarthy (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Browns in London.
With McCarthy still sidelined due to a right high-ankle sprain, Carson Wentz is slated to draw a third straight start at quarterback while working behind a shorthanded offensive line. McCarthy -- who last played Week 2 -- will thus target a potential return to action Oct. 19 against the Eagles, following the Vikings' Week 6 bye.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Not practicing Wednesday
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McCarthy (ankle) was not spotted at the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said the "hope is soon" that McCarthy will be "back on an individual level," per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. That said, O'Connell noted that he "probably would not expose [McCarthy] to the look team" in the immediate future, a signal that the second-year quarterback doesn't have a very real chance to be available for Sunday's game against the Browns in London. McCarthy hasn't yet been ruled out for Week 5, but even if active, it's likely he would operate in a backup role behind Carson Wentz. The Vikings will benefit from a bye Week 6, making Sunday, Oct. 19 against the Eagles in Week 7 a more realistic tentative date for McCarthy's return, though it's possible Wentz could retain the starting job if he's able to turn in another strong showing versus Cleveland.
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Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: May be ready to practice this week
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Head coach Kevin O'Connell suggested Tuesday that McCarthy (ankle) could be ready to resume practicing this week, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports. "My hope is ... maybe not necessarily early on - we're going to handle Wednesday, probably in a unique way, from what could be kind of a hybrid day, but as we get into Thursday and Friday, I'm hoping we can at least get him out there and get him taking some drops and starting to get back in the normal rhythm of the practice week," O'Connell said of McCarthy. "It will all depend on kind of where he's at with the benchmarks of being able to go out there and start moving around a little bit."
O'Connell didn't comment on McCarthy's potential availability for Sunday's game against the Browns in London, but since the second-year signal-caller isn't expected to be ready to handle full reps with the first-team offense during the week, he'll likely be ticketed for a backup role if he's active in Week 5. Carson Wentz has started under center the last two games, leading the Vikings to a 1-1 record while completing 44 of 66 passes for 523 yards (7.9 YPA), four touchdowns and two interceptions. O'Connell hasn't ruled out the possibility of the veteran retaining the starting job even after McCarthy is back to full health, though it may be contingent on Wentz turning in a quality outing in Week 5 against a stout Browns defense.
