Credit: Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
We’re down to the final week of the 2025 NFL regular season. Unfortunately, the 8-8 Minnesota Vikings have long been eliminated from playoff contention.
That won’t stop head coach Kevin O’Connell from doing everything in his power to get one last look at his injured redshirt rookie QB this weekend, before the Vikings officially go into offseason mode on Monday.
Their week 18 opponent, the Green Bay Packers, are locked into the 7-seed in the NFC, meaning whoever QBs the MN Vikings on Sunday afternoon will do so against a squad that’ll look a lot more like a preseason version of the Packers, than postseason.
JJ McCarthy getting significant reps for Vikings
The latest update we got via KOC and the first injury report of the week portrayed a team looking pretty optimistic regarding McCarthy’s status for the MN Vikings’ final game of the season. Minnesota’s starter was limited, but it sounds like he was able to throw the ball fine with that injured right hand.
J.J. McCarthy (hand) had a “really positive” throwing session Tuesday with Vikings medical staff and will participate in practice today, per Kevin O’Connell. Probably limited but making progress toward Sunday vs. Packers.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 31, 2025
“Obviously a little limited participation but I felt like the ball was spinning and we’ll take it day by day.” – @jjmcccarthy09 pic.twitter.com/iKy7BhZOy9
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 31, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings have had J.J. McCarthy active for just nine of the 33 games he has been on the team to start his career. McCarthy has completed just 57.3% of his passes this season and has an 11/12 TD/INT ratio.
Week 18 injury report tells Vikings tale
Wednesday represented the Minnesota Vikings first practice ahead of their Week 18 game against the Green Bay Packers. J.J. McCarthy got in a limited session while Myles Price, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones all were held out.
It’s notable that Jordan Mason logged a limited practice, after being held out last week. The MN Vikings signed another running back, Sincere McCormick, to the practice squad on Wednesday as well.
T.J. Hockenson didn’t practice and remains a cut/restructure candidate this offseason. Another injury worth watching is Gavin Bartholomew’s. The rookie tight end — who has yet to play this season –was a full participant on Wednesday.
The #Vikings 1st injury report of Week 18 pic.twitter.com/VKyWwJNW4j
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 31, 2025
Mentioned in this article: Gavin Bartholomew J.J. McCarthy
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