Kevin O’Connell’s comments about J.J. McCarthy explain why he left the game, but one thing doesn’t add up
Many still held hope for J.J. McCarthy going into the preseason game against the Ravens, but things took a turn.
The Minnesota Vikings struggled on Saturday afternoon against the Baltimore Ravens, losing their second preseason game by a score of 13-3. The biggest story of the game was quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Many wanted him to play a lot of snaps due to having joint practices throughout the week, but that’s not what we got. He exited the game after the first quarter, something that Vikings broadcaster Paul Allen said at the start of the game.
Kevin O’Connell says J.J. McCarthy suffered minor injury
After the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke on why McCarthy didn’t play longer, highlighting that he was “hobbled.”
“It’s always a moving target, maybe one more drive would have been great to get him based upon where he was snapcount-wise, but he was a little hobbled there. I’ll have an update for you but he seemed to be fine,” said O’Connell.
Sure, taking him out when they did makes sense. You could tell that McCarthy was getting hit hard back there with the offensive line struggling. You also don’t want to put a player at risk of injury.
It’s extra frustrating for McCarthy, as the one thing he needs more than anything is reps. Not having him for more than 10 pass attemtps is brutal, not to mention he only completed five of them for 81 yards. Within that, McCarthy missed two touchdown throws, including one on fourth down.
Here’s where I’m curious: did O’Connell want him to have another series and is using the “injury” as a crutch? We can’t say for sure, but if the plan was to play him the first quarter, there is a level of convenience in not playing him any longer because of the injury. He’s struggling mightily to play the position, and it’s reaching a crisis point.
No matter how you spin it, this isn’t good for McCarthy or the Vikings.
