Vikings News: Latest on JJ McCarthy Hand Injury

On Sunday afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings won their third-straight game (and second-straight on the road) defeating the New York Giants out in New Jersey.

The final score reads 16-13, and it wasn’t the prettiest victory in franchise history. Still, there’s no doubt the Vikings thoroughly outplayed the Giants on Sunday afternoon, especially while redshirt rookie QB JJ McCarthy was on the field.

On the day, the 2024 No. 10 overall pick finished 9/14 passing for 108 yards, 1 INT and 1 rushing TD. Unfortunately, McCarthy’s 9th career start was cut short, after he injured his hand late in the second quarter out in New Jersey.

Latest on JJ McCarthy’s hand injury

The play happened toward the end of the first half, when he hit his hand on a the helmet of a Giants’ pass rusher. At halftime, JJ McCarthy underwent X-Rays. According to Twitter’s Dr. Chao (@ProFootballDoc), the Vikings’ initial concern was likely a metacarpal fracture.

#JJMcCarthy @Vikings
Play where he may have injured right hand
Worry for metacarpal fracture
Ruled OUT pic.twitter.com/E16JxblGc5

— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 21, 2025

Fortunately, JJ’s X-rays came back negative so he appears to have cleared that hurdle. However, the Vikings are not singing the good news from any frozen mountaintops of Minnesota or New Jersey.

Instead, beat reporter and insider Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) is being told by his sources that the MN Vikings’ medical staff is still concerned about ligament damage in his hand.

JJ McCarthy will get an MRI back in Eagan on Sunday night, but the feeling surrounding this situation is not good, as the team heads back northwest. So say your prayers tonight, Vikings fans.

Further tests on J.J. McCarthy's right hand will be used to determine whether the quarterback suffered any ligament damage, per source. Coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game he was unsure if McCarthy was able to grip the ball on the strip sack that ended his day.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) December 21, 2025

Related: Minnesota Vikings Trying to Keep Expiring Defensive Guru

I still have no doubt the Minnesota Vikings can win games with Max Brosmer as their quarterback, though it is worth wondering if he can do it with the offensive line in the state it’s in currently, especially after Ryan Kelly left Sunday’s game with a concussion.

Of course, winning wasn’t the top priority for this organization in 2025, entering Sunday. Most of the attention – from both in and outside of the organization — had turned to the raising and developing of McCarthy.

Minnesota Vikings head coach breaks down McCarthy injury

At the end of the day, winning in the future will be dictated by his ability to grow into a good NFL QB. Thus in order to forge a proper path forward this offseason, KOC, Kwesi and their scouting staff needed to get an extra-good look at their redshirt rookie in these last few games.

Now, it looks like that may not happen. When head coach Kevin O’Connell took to the postgame podium in East Rutherford this afternoon, he didn’t know the extent of his 22-year-old (almost 23) quarterback’s hand injury.

One thing is for certain, though, he didn’t sound overly optimistic about whatever the Vikings might figure out, as they continue to run these tests. The frustrated head coach did, however, do a pretty good job of explaining what happened, as he knew it.

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell didn't know everything there was to know about JJ McCarthy's injury after the game… but his memory is pretty incredible. pic.twitter.com/OMVffx0BZg

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) December 22, 2025