Minnesota Vikings Injury Report: J.J. McCarthy sees a change that will impact his status vs. Green Bay Packers

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a full participant in practice after being limited on Wednesday.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive end Chauncey Golston (57) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
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Earning a third winning record in four years is on the line this Sunday afternoon when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Green Bay Packers.

Going into the game, the only thing both teams have to play for is beating the other team. These teams are bitter rivals, and have had some wars over the years. This is also the first time they have faced each other in the final week of the season since 2015, a day where the Vikings won the NFC North at Lambeau Field 20-13.

Thursday’s injury report showed some significant movement for the Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings Thursday injury report

Player Injury W/T/F Designation
TE T.J. HockensonShoulderDNP/DNP
RB Aaron JonesHipDNP/DNP
WR Myles PriceAnkleDNP/DNP
ILB Blake CashmanElbowLimited/Full
RB Jordan MasonAnkleLimited/Full
QB J.J. McCarthyRight HandLimited/Full
RT Brian O’NeillHeelLimited/Limited
DT Levi Drake RodriguezRibLimited/Full
S Harrison SmithNot Injury Related-RestLimited/None
TE Gavin BartholomewBackFull/Full

Observations

  • McCarthy being a limited participant in practice on Wednesday was huge, but improving to a full participant on Thursday is even bigger. As head coach Kevin O’Connell said during his Wednesday press conference, it’s about how he responds to it.
  • Hockenson and Jones being non-participants two days in a row likely means they won’t play Sunday.
  • Seeing improvement from O’Neill and Mason could signal their return to the lineup. With the Vikings hoping to get more information about McCarthy, having both players back will help that evaluation.

Green Bay Packers Thursday injury report

Player Injury W/T/FDesignation
WR Dontayvion WicksConcussionDNP/DNP
LG Aaron BanksIllness/AnkleLimited/Limited
ILB Edgerrin CooperShoulderLimited/Limited
RB Josh JacobsKnee/AnkleLimited/Limited
ILB Nick NiemannPectoralLimited/Limited
WR Jayden ReedIllnessLimited/Limited
RT Zach TomBack/KneeLimited/Limited
EDGE Lukas Van NessIllness/FootLimited/Limited
OG John WilliamsBackLimited/Limited
WR Savion WilliamsFoot/IllnessLimited/DNP
QB Malik WillisRight Shoulder/HamstringLimited/Limited
QB Jordan LoveLeft Shoulder/ConcussionFull/Full
OL Donovan JenningsThroatNone/DNP

Observations

  • Green Bay is going to rest players on Sunday with the Packers set to play in the playoffs as the seventh seed.
  • We learned Thursday morning that Clayton Tune will start at quarterback on Sunday. The good news for the Packers is that Love has officially cleared concussion protocol.
  • Keep an eye on both Banks and Tom’s status. Missing two offensive linemen could make Brian Flores’ job much easier.

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