Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) lays on the ground after being sacked by Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have placed quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the concussion protocol, putting his availability for the upcoming game at Seattle in question.
McCarthy first reported symptoms during the team’s travel home from the 23-6 loss at Green Bay, coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday. The medical staff made the decision to put him in the protocol after returning to Minnesota, O’Connell said.
O’Connell declined to answer specific questions about the severity or nature of McCarthy’s symptoms. He did not rule McCarthy out for this Sunday but said rookie backup Max Brosmer would step in with the first-string offense in practice this week until or unless McCarthy is cleared.
“I’m not ready to make any sort of designation for the game or anything like that,” O’Connell said. “We’ll let the process play out.”
With 10th-year veteran Carson Wentz out for rest of the season following shoulder surgery, the only other quarterback on Minnesota’s roster is John Wolford, a 30-year-old journeyman on the practice squad.
McCarthy, who missed his rookie season recovering from knee surgery and sat out five more games this season with a high ankle sprain, has struggled mightily to find any kind of rhythm. He went 12 for 19 for 87 yards with two interceptions and five sacks against the Packers, as the Vikings (4-7) lost their third straight game.
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