Report: JJ McCarthy Did Actually Break His Hand

Last weekend, the Minnesota Vikings won an ugly-looking contest against the New York Giants, a game that J.J. McCarthy didn’t finish, thanks to a hand injury he suffered in the second quarter.

For the second time this season, former Gopher Max Brosmer replaced McCarthy under center for the Vikings. The first time, he self-destructed in Seattle, tossing four picks and zero touchdowns.

Against New York, Brosmer was much better, completing 7/9 passes for 52 yards — even marching Minnesota’s offense down the field late for a game-winning field goal. On Monday, JJ McCarthy did not practice, making another Max Brosmer start pretty much inevitable.

MN Vikings lose JJ McCarthy to broken hand

On Tuesday, however, it became official. McCarthy is out on Christmas Day against the Detroit Lions, after an MRI revealed that a hairline fracture in his injured hand. In his place again, will be the one-and-done MN Gopher.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy underwent further imaging that showed a hairline fracture in his throwing hand, coach Kevin O’Connell said. He’s out Thursday against the Lions. pic.twitter.com/f1rOh6byV1

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 23, 2025

Details on McCarthy’s hand injury were murky, entering the week, after initial x-rays in East Rutherford came back negative, but then again, I do not have unlimited resources and technology like the Minnesota Vikings organization does.

However, if McCarthy is indeed done for the season, he’ll have played in just nine games. So far, he’s thrown for 1,450 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions — his completion percentage a ghastly 57.3%.

Kevin O’Connell won’t rule McCarthy out for season yet

After two years in the NFL, McCarthy has played in just 27% of the Vikings regular season games. But not so fast, because KOC isn’t ruling his starting quarterback out for Minnesota’s week 18 finale against the Green Bay Packers just yet…

Kevin O’Connell said there’s a chance J.J. McCarthy could play against the Packers in the season finale. The fracture was “similar to a bone bruise,” O’Connell said. Vikings did further imaging beyond an X-ray and MRI to determine the hairline fracture.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) December 23, 2025

As someone who has experienced a similar hairline fracture, I would be shocked to see him take the field again this season. f course the Vikings have unlimited resources and are dealing with a professional athlete. However,

Ryan Kelly on the mend for Minnesota Vikings

Beyond losing J.J. McCarthy, the MN Vikings also saw Ryan Kelly exit against the Giants with his third concussion of the season. After Kelly spent time on injured reserve earlier this year with two previous concussions, it’s no surprise to see that he won’t play on Thursday either.

Kelly has worn a Guardian Cap since suffering his latest concussion. Unfortunately, that didn’t keep him from having another one. Kelly — who is just 32 years old — has at least six documented concussions on his NFL resume. He is still under contract for one more season.

O’Connell also provided an update on running back Jordan Mason. The power back left Week 16 with an ankle injury and was unable to return. If he remains out on Thursday, it will be Aaron Jones, Zavier Scott, and the potential return of Ty Chandler at running back for Minnesota.

Ryan Kelly won’t play on Thursday, Kevin O’Connell said. Jordan Mason is “still feeling it” after his ankle injury on Sunday, but O’Connell wasn’t ready to roll him out for Thursday.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) December 23, 2025