Vikings announce unfortunate JJ McCarthy news during Giants game
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy had his team out to a 10-point lead entering halftime until disaster struck.
New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns went unblocked and delivered a crushing hit to McCarthy’s blindside, resulting in a sack fumble that turned into a 27-yard return to the end zone by Giants safety Tyler Nubin, cutting the deficit to three points with 17 seconds left in the first half.
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When the Vikings offense returned to the field, McCarthy was nowhere to be found. Backup Max Brosmer kneeled the ball to send his team to the locker room, where McCarthy was abruptly rushed to.
McCarthy was ruled out of the game entering the second half with a right-hand injury, closing the game completing 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards, an interception and a fumble. This is the third injury McCarthy has suffered this season after he missed his entire rookie year due to a meniscus injury.
After a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, McCarthy missed five games with a knee injury, followed by a one-game absence due to a concussion he suffered in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers.
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McCarthy has played well since his return from the concussion, averaging 206.5 yards passing in back-to-back wins over the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys.
However, consistency has been the culprit of the Vikings’ 6-8 season entering Week 16. McCarthy is already behind after missing his entire rookie year.
Brosmer will be tasked with protecting a three-point lead in the second half. Brosmer got his first start in Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks, which resulted in the Vikings being shut out for the first time in over two decades.
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