Latest Vikings Gut Punch Gets Confirmed by NFL Insiders
The Vikings gut punches have been plentiful in 2025. Too plentiful, in fact, to experience any meaningful success during the current season.
Most prominently, there’s an injury (concussion) that’s again threatening to keep J.J. McCarthy off the field. Head coach Kevin O’Connell was his usually optimistic, evasive self upon initially discussing the McCarthy ailment, avoiding any firm declarations about availability (or lack thereof) for the upcoming game. The word from Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis of The Athletic suggests that McCarthy is out for at least a single game.
Latest Vikings Gut Punch Sees McCarthy Sidelined
Consider the initial word.
Russini and Lewis: “The Minnesota Vikings have yet to rule J.J. McCarthy out of Sunday’s road matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, but the young quarterback is not expected to play, according to multiple team sources. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is in line to start.”
Not too long afterwards, the same piece offers a summary recap of the injury turmoil.
Consider how things have gone for Mr. McCarthy: “McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus. In Week 2 of this season, he suffered a high ankle sprain against the Atlanta Falcons. That injury caused McCarthy to miss five games, and he used the back end of his recovery period to tweak some of his lower-half mechanics with O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. The team hoped those alterations would stick, and Minnesota’s win over the Detroit Lions in Week 9 offered some optimism.”
The simple reality that Max Brosmer appears to be the starter over the weekend isn’t much of a surprise.
A concussion isn’t something to mess around with, especially not with someone so young. The 22-year-old McCarthy has a long career (and life) ahead of him. Take care of the kid by allowing him to get back to complete and total health. Doing so gives him a better shot at staying healthy in the future.
While he rests, Minnesota can get a look at Brosmer, who has a lot of support in Eagan. Goodness, even McCarthy is impressed with the rookie, describing their strong relationship at various points.
With McCarthy recovering, John Wolford appears to be a near guarantee to get bumped up to be active on Sunday. The practice squad passer is known as a “psycho” for his preparation. He’ll lean on his work ethic and brains to function as the main arm behind Brosmer.
Overcoming the Seahawks — and on the road, no less — appears very unlikely. But, to be sure, the Vikings aren’t a boring team. Incompetence is to be expected, but Minnesota has a knack for the unusual. Seeing some sort of sensational, out-of-nowhere performance (Josh Dobbs?) wouldn’t be a complete surprise.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT. If he shines, Brosmer will almost certainly be the starter for Week 14 (and possibly beyond).
You must be logged in to post a comment.