EAGAN, Minn. — The brutal beginning to young quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s career continues.
On Monday, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell relayed news that McCarthy had reported symptoms of a concussion and underwent tests late Sunday night. The Vikings’ medical staff decided that he should be placed in the protocol.
“He’ll go through that process this week,” O’Connell said. “He’s been in meetings. He’s here today in the building. We’ll update you guys as we go.”
O’Connell was not ready to declare McCarthy out for the upcoming game in Seattle against the Seahawks. Typically, though, the Vikings refrain from having concussed players return in less than a week’s time. O’Connell has also been open throughout this season about McCarthy’s need for practice weeks with the full workload. He has missed too much time to perform without the full portion of reps.
If McCarthy can’t play this weekend, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer would likely start. The Minnesota Golden Gophers product, who has impressed coaches and teammates behind the scenes since he arrived this spring, has been the backup for multiple weeks. Minnesota also has veteran John Wolford on the practice squad.
Another McCarthy injury underscores one of the many concerns regarding the 22-year-old. Last summer, he tore his meniscus and was placed on injured reserve for the full season. Earlier this year, following the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, McCarthy reported ankle soreness. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, which put a damper on necessary development time. This potential absence could do the same.
O’Connell said Monday the team was not sure when the concussion symptoms first emerged.
“It’s definitely not ideal,” O’Connell said. “And really, that phrase can be applied to several stops on the journey so far, early on for him.”
McCarthy’s performance this season has been historically poor by most meaningful measures. On Sunday, he completed 12 of 19 passes for 87 yards and threw two interceptions. Over six starts, he has completed just 54.1 percent of his passes, and the more advanced statistics paint a similarly grim picture. Among 854 qualified quarterbacks since 2000, McCarthy’s EPA per dropback ranks 853rd, ahead of only former Raiders No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell.
Minnesota’s 4-7 record is not solely the result of McCarthy’s struggles. Receiver drops have played a role. The offensive line has not been reliable. Special teams blunders have halted momentum, and the defense has not been able to create takeaways. Still, the frustration internally over the offense’s dismal season has been evident.
“It is frustrating,” superstar receiver Justin Jefferson said Sunday. “It’s frustrating to lose. It’s frustrating to be up here saying the same things every single week, expecting things to change the following week. And we’re still in the same spot. We’ve just got to figure it out.”
Brosmer has many believers internally. In the preseason, he and the third-team offense held their own when matched up with the Tennessee Titans’ first-team defense. Brosmer’s decisiveness stood out during training camp. He quickly scanned the field and processed it effectively.
His arc has conjured vibes similar to Brock Purdy’s ascent in San Francisco. O’Connell said Monday that his trust level in Brosmer is high. He recalled the preseason action and added, “He was moving the team, getting the ball out, seeing things at a veteran-level type of eye progression.”
These qualities have been absent in McCarthy’s recent showings. In the short term, McCarthy’s absence from games would offer Brosmer an opportunity. In the longer term, peering into the future of a franchise with a leadership group that has yet to win a playoff game, there will be some hard questions to answer when it comes to what the Vikings should do at quarterback to stabilize an aging team without the cap flexibility they had this past offseason.