Things haven't been easy for J.J. McCarthy since entering the NFL. The first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, then suffered an ankle injury this year that sidelined him for multiple weeks.
Right now, McCarthy is expected to be the starting quarterback for the Vikings this weekend when they host the Chicago Bears. However, the former University of Michigan standout might not be 100 percent when he takes the field on Sunday.
During the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10, McCarthy hit his hand on a helmet and was visibly in pain. He was able to finish the game, but it was obvious that the incident left Minnesota's quarterback uncomfortable from that point on.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell provided an injury update on the hand of starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy
On Wednesday, ESPN's Kevin Seifert shared an update on X. Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell shared that J.J. McCarthy has his right hand bandaged due to the hit on the helmet, but is not expected to be sidelined for Sunday's game.
Also, J.J. McCarthy will have a bandage today on his right hand, per Kevin O'Connell, after hitting it on a helmet Sunday. It is not expected to impact his week of prep "very much," O'Connell said, and he remains set to play Sunday vs. the Bears.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 12, 2025
J.J. McCarthy is a right-handed quarterback, so there is no telling how this injury could impact his practices leading up to Sunday or the game against the Bears this weekend. Hopefully, the young quarterback won't need the bandage when he takes the field at U.S. Bank Stadium.
O'Connell stressed that the bandage shouldn't impact his week of preparation too much, but the smallest details can make a huge difference, especially when it comes to holding or throwing a football.
Sunday's game against Chicago will be his fifth start with the Vikings. He has a record of 2-2 as a starter with Minnesota, with his wins coming against the Bears in Week 1 and the Detroit Lions in Week 9.
Interestingly, both of McCarthy's wins have come against the NFC North, one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. His losses have been against the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons, two ugly games that fans would rather forget.
Minnesota's come-from-behind win against the Bears in the season opener gave Vikings fans hope that McCarthy could be the dynamic, exciting quarterback they hoped he could be when Minnesota drafted him.
Let's hope J.J. McCarthy's hand feels great for Sunday's game against the Bears. The Minnesota Vikings need a win to get back to .500 with a 5-5 record on the season.