J.J. McCarthy Limited in Wednesday Practice as Brosmer Takes First-Team Reps

Lead

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday morning that quarterback J.J. McCarthy was held to a limited practice session, a status later reflected on the team’s official injury report. The club also confirmed McCarthy remains in the NFL concussion protocol. With McCarthy limited, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer received first-team reps during the workout. Several other starters logged either limited or no participation, including left tackle Christian Darrisaw and left guard Donovan Jackson.

Key Takeaways

• J.J. McCarthy was listed as limited at Wednesday practice and is in the concussion protocol, according to the Vikings’ injury report.
• Max Brosmer, 24, took first-team reps while McCarthy was limited; Brosmer went undrafted after transferring from New Hampshire to Minnesota.
• Brosmer has completed 5 of 8 passes in three NFL appearances for a total of 42 yards.
• Left tackle Christian Darrisaw did not practice (knee/foot) and left guard Donovan Jackson did not practice (ankle).
• Players listed as limited included Jonathan Greenard (shoulder), Theo Jackson (neck), Justin Jefferson (rest), Josh Metellus (knee/shoulder), Harrison Smith (rest) and Dallas Turner (hip).
• The team’s handling of McCarthy follows NFL concussion-protocol procedures, which can affect availability on a practice-day timeline.

Background

NFL teams use practice-designations—full, limited and DNP (did not participate)—to communicate player availability in the lead-up to games and during training. A player placed in the concussion protocol remains under a graded return-to-participation process that includes medical clearance steps beyond standard injury management. For a starting quarterback, any limitation in practice can alter the weekly preparation rhythm and elevate the role of backup or developmental players in team walkthroughs and live reps.

The Vikings entered the session managing multiple minor and moderate injuries across the roster; offensive line absences and limited reps can ripple through running-game planning and pass protection schemes. Given the positional importance of left tackle and interior line play, Darrisaw’s and Jackson’s statuses are particularly notable for coaches mapping out pass-blocking rotations. Rookies and undrafted players frequently get expanded snaps when starters are held out or limited, giving coaching staffs real-game evaluation opportunities.

Main Event

Coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Wednesday morning that McCarthy would be limited at practice; the team’s official injury report later listed McCarthy as limited and confirmed he remains in concussion protocol. With the starter restricted in practice activity, Max Brosmer was moved into first-team rep work for portions of the session. Brosmer, 24, was undrafted this year after transferring from New Hampshire to Minnesota and has appeared in three games, completing 5 of 8 passes for 42 yards.

The practice report listed two offensive linemen as absent: left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee/foot) and left guard Donovan Jackson (ankle). The coaching staff worked around those absences, rotating backups and adjusting protection calls in team periods. Multiple veterans were limited as well—outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard (shoulder), safety Theo Jackson (neck), wide receiver Justin Jefferson (rest), safety Josh Metellus (knee/shoulder), safety Harrison Smith (rest) and outside linebacker Dallas Turner (hip)—so the session balanced preserving starters with evaluating depth pieces.

O’Connell and the medical staff maintained standard protocols when handling McCarthy’s situation, which prioritized graded activity and observation rather than rushing clearance. Brosmer’s first-team snaps were situational and aimed at ensuring the offense could run through key sequencing if the starter could not increase participation. The team emphasized situational repetitions—two-minute work, red-zone sequences and scripted dropbacks—to keep the offense sharp despite the limitations.

Analysis & Implications

Short-term, McCarthy’s limited status tightens the margin for error in practice planning and game week preparation. Quarterbacks benefit from full-volume reps to refine timing with receivers and offensive line adjustments; when reps are reduced, coaches rely on script work, extra walkthroughs and backup reps to replicate timing. The presence of a viable emergency option in Brosmer mitigates immediate operational risk, but Brosmer’s limited pro experience—5-for-8 passing for 42 yards—underscores this is primarily a depth test rather than a long-term solution.

Offensive-line absences are often more consequential than they appear on individual practice reports. Missing either a starting tackle or guard forces reshuffling of personnel and can expose communication gaps in protection calls. That matters especially against teams that emphasize pre-snap pressure and stunts. The Vikings’ decision-making over the next 48–72 hours—practice levels, walkthrough emphasis and possible medical tests—will determine whether the unit enters game week at full strength or in a patched rotation.

From a roster-management perspective, the situation tests the front office’s developmental pipeline. Undrafted rookies like Brosmer can gain value when called on in low-risk practice or preseason settings; if he performs well in live reps, his standing on the depth chart improves and the team gains optionality for active gameday lists. Conversely, prolonged absence by a starter in concussion protocol can accelerate contingency planning, such as increasing veteran reps or altering game plans to reduce exposure to blitz-heavy looks.

Comparison & Data

The table shows the mix of non-participation and limited status across key positions. Having multiple starters listed as limited or out on the same day is not uncommon midweek, but the combination of a quarterback in concussion protocol and offensive-line absences warrants close monitoring. Coaching staffs typically respond with targeted reps for backups and schematic adjustments to limit exposure to known weaknesses.

Reactions & Quotes

Coach context: O’Connell framed the limited practice as a precautionary, process-driven decision rather than a signal about long-term availability.

“He would be limited at practice today,”

Kevin O’Connell, Vikings head coach

The club’s injury report succinctly recorded McCarthy’s status and the reasons for other absences, offering the clearest public account of who practiced and who did not.

“McCarthy remains in the concussion protocol; several players were limited or did not practice,”

Minnesota Vikings injury report (official)

Unconfirmed

• When J.J. McCarthy will be cleared to return to full practice remains undetermined; no timetable has been announced.
• Whether Max Brosmer would be elevated to an active game-day role if McCarthy cannot practice fully is not confirmed by the team.
• The precise severity and expected recovery timeline for Christian Darrisaw’s knee/foot issues have not been publicly disclosed.

Bottom Line

Wednesday’s practice report emphasizes the Vikings’ cautious handling of a starting quarterback in the concussion protocol while also exposing depth questions along the offensive line. Max Brosmer’s first-team reps provide the team with an immediate internal option should McCarthy’s participation remain limited, but his limited NFL experience means coaches will emphasize simplifying the playbook and protecting the pocket if needed.

Over the next several days, the Minnesota medical staff’s testing results and the practice participation reports will offer a clearer view of availability. For now, the team appears to be balancing player safety with necessary on-field preparation, and observers should track daily injury reports and any official medical updates.

Sources

• NBC Sports — ProFootballTalk (media)
• Minnesota Vikings (official team site)