Vikings' McCarthy won't play Christmas Day due to fractured hand
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy won't play Christmas Day against the Detroit Lions due to a hairline fracture in his right hand, head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters Tuesday.
Max Brosmer, an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota, will get his second career start this week, with John Wolford serving as his backup.
O'Connell said he doesn't expect McCarthy to need surgery for his injury and likened his recovery to that of a bone bruise. Thursday's contest will mark McCarthy's seventh missed game this season due to various injuries, including a sprained ankle and a concussion.
McCarthy suffered his latest injury in the second quarter of Sunday's loss against the New York Giants, taking a massive hit from Brian Burns that resulted in a sack-fumble returned for a touchdown. Brosmer took over following the play.
McCarthy has performed better in recent weeks, but the 22-year-old's first season as Minnesota's full-time starter has been an overall disappointment. Selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, McCarthy ranks 32nd in success rate and 33rd in EPA/play among 34 qualifying signal-callers this year, per Ben Baldwin's database.
Running back Jordan Mason, who exited Sunday's contest against New York with an ankle injury, is considered a long shot to play on Christmas Day, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Brosmer, 24, has completed 31 of 47 pass attempts for 220 yards with zero touchdowns and four interceptions in 2025.
The Vikings are 7-8 heading into Thursday's contest and have been eliminated from playoff contention.