Ruled out for Week 17
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Tuesday that McCarthy has been diagnosed with a small hairline fracture in his right hand following an MRI and has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lions.
According to Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune, O'Connell said that McCarthy's injury is "similar to a bone bruise," adding that the Vikings don't view the issue as significant enough to send the second-year quarterback to injured reserve. The Vikings are thus leaving the door open for McCarthy to play in their season finale Jan. 4 versus the Packers, but he won't have sufficient time to heal up from the injury in advance of Thursday's contest. The Vikings will turn to Max Brosmer to make his second start of the season, after the undrafted rookie came on in relief for an injured McCarthy in this past Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants.
More Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Football News
Jordan Addison
Maintains key role in WR corps
As the coming season approaches, Addison is set to maintain his key role alongside Justin Jefferson in a Minnesota WR corps that added Jauan Jennings this offseason, Rob Kleifield of the team's official site reports.
Kyler Murray
QB competition looming
During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, coach Kevin O'Connell declined to shed much light on the upcoming QB competition between Murray and J.J. McCarthy, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports.
Aaron Jones Sr.
Remains key cog in RB corps
Ahead of training camp, Jones is set to reclaim his key role in a Minnesota backfield that also includes fellow returnee Jordan Mason and rookie sixth-rounder Demond Claiborne, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Justin Jefferson
QB competition on tap
As the 2026 season approaches, Jefferson continues to anchor a Minnesota wide receiver corps that also features Jordan Addisonand free-agent addition Jauan Jennings.
J.J. McCarthy
Sharing snaps with Murray
McCarthy and free-agent addition Kyler Murray shared QB reps during Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice, Lindsey Young of the Vikings' official site reports.
Kyler Murray
Sharing reps with McCarthy
Murray was on the field for the first snaps of team drills during Tuesday's mandatory minicamp session, Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports.
Jauan Jennings
Inks deal with Minnesota
Jennings and the Vikings agreed on a one-year, $13 million contract Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Jauan Jennings
Visiting with Minnesota
Jennings is visiting with the Vikings on Tuesday and Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Jordan Addison
Fifth-year option made official
The Vikings exercised Addison's fifth-year option Monday.
Demond Claiborne
Scooped by Vikings
The Vikings selected Claiborne in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 198th overall.