Vikings starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday as he progresses through the NFL concussion protocol, and head coach Kevin O’Connell said Max Brosmer took the first-team reps in practice. The move comes during the week ahead of Sunday’s road game against the Seattle Seahawks as the team balances player health and short-term roster needs. McCarthy has advanced enough in the protocol to return to limited on-field work, while Brosmer, 24, — an undrafted rookie — has been given an opportunity to run the offense with the starters. The Vikings emphasized they will follow medical guidance and update McCarthy’s status as the week unfolds.
Key takeaways
- J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings’ starting quarterback, participated in a limited capacity at Wednesday practice as he moves through the concussion protocol.
- Max Brosmer, 24, took first-team reps Wednesday and is the primary candidate to start Sunday if McCarthy is unavailable.
- Brosmer went undrafted out of Minnesota after transferring from New Hampshire and has completed 5-of-8 passes for 42 yards across three NFL appearances.
- Coach Kevin O’Connell said medical clearance guided Wednesday’s limited participation and that the team will continue to monitor McCarthy’s status through the week.
- The Vikings face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday; final starter decisions were left open pending daily evaluations and medical input.
- O’Connell expressed confidence in Brosmer’s preparation, citing his work on look-team and practice-squad reps this season.
Background
The NFL’s concussion protocol requires graded return-to-participation steps and daily medical evaluations before a player can resume full practice or return to game action. Teams balance competitive considerations with league and club medical guidance; when a starter shows symptoms or fails a protocol step, backups are elevated to first-team work while the injured player progresses through clearances. The Vikings entered the week with McCarthy listed as their starter, but his concussion-related absence created a short-term decision point for the coaching staff and medical team.
Max Brosmer emerged on the depth chart after spending the season on the practice squad and appearing in limited game action. Brosmer, 24, transferred to Minnesota from the University of New Hampshire and was not selected in this year’s draft; he has used look-team reps and practice-squad opportunities to learn the offense. The presence of veteran Carson Wentz on the roster adds an additional experienced option, but coaching staff comments this week singled out Brosmer as the one taking first-team snaps during Wednesday’s session.
Main event
At Wednesday’s practice, McCarthy was cleared to participate in individual drills only, a step that indicates progress through the concussion protocol but not full clearance for contact work. O’Connell framed the decision as one driven by medical input and by prudence; he noted the team wants to be cautious given the nature of head injuries and will rely on clinicians to guide next steps. The coach also said the staff is watching how McCarthy responds each day and will update his availability as the week continues.
In tandem with McCarthy’s limited return, Brosmer was given first-team reps so the offense could continue installing game preparations with a live quarterback in those repetitions. O’Connell said Brosmer has maximized his look-team and practice opportunities and that the rookie has prepared methodically for a potential start. The team did not make a final decision about the Week X starting lineup on Wednesday; it left that determination to follow-on evaluations and meetings with the medical staff.
Brosmer’s small regular-season sample includes three appearances with a 5-of-8 passing line for 42 yards, figures the coaching staff cited when discussing his limited in-game experience but also his readiness from practice. The Vikings’ staff emphasized the importance of continuity in practice reps for game planning, which is why first-team snaps were shifted to Brosmer when McCarthy’s work was restricted. The Seahawks’ defense and game plan this week will shape how the Vikings choose to use a backup, should that be needed.
Analysis & implications
Short term, the most immediate effect is on Sunday’s game plan: a Brosmer-led first team will change timing and possibly play-calling as coaches account for his experience level and comfort reading an NFL defense. Offensive coordinators typically simplify early progression concepts for a quarterback with limited reps while preserving core plays the offense executes well. That can alter pass-run balance and situational play choices late in halves.
From a roster-management perspective, giving Brosmer first-team reps signals the Vikings trust their depth plan and the work he has done in practice. It also reveals how teams prioritize the medical safety of a starting quarterback: even when a player shows improvement, staff will often let a backup take the bulk of starter reps until full protocol clearance is achieved. This approach reduces pressure on clinicians and coaching staff to make a day-of-game medical call under duress.
For McCarthy’s development and long-term availability, the key variables are symptom resolution and successful completion of the remaining protocol steps. A conservative timeline preserves cognitive health but can cost the team short-term continuity; the Vikings must weigh playoff positioning and roster durability in that calculus. If Brosmer starts and performs well, the team will face a choice whether to revert immediately to McCarthy once cleared or continue with a hot-hand decision based on game outcomes and medical advice.
Comparison & data
| Player | Age | NFL appearances | Passing (season) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Brosmer | 24 | 3 | 5-of-8, 42 yards |
| J.J. McCarthy | — | Starter (team designation) | — |
The table highlights Brosmer’s limited in-game sample versus McCarthy’s status as the club’s starting quarterback. Coaches rely more on practice rep volume and film study than raw early-season numbers when evaluating a novice’s readiness, which helps explain the emphasis on look-team and first-team snaps this week. Statistical samples this small are noisy and should not be used alone to forecast performance; context from practice reps and coaching reports matters more for immediate decision-making.
Reactions & quotes
“He cleared enough of the protocol to at least participate in a limited capacity today,” O’Connell said, framing Wednesday’s work as a medical-led next step rather than a return-to-play declaration.
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings head coach (press conference via NBC Sports)
“He’s done nothing but attack it every day and maximize the reps he’s been given,” O’Connell added, underlining confidence in Brosmer’s preparation for any role this week.
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings head coach (press conference via NBC Sports)
Team spokespeople reiterated that the club will follow the medical staff’s guidance before making a final roster announcement for Sunday. Local beat reporters noted that the Vikings have been deliberate in prior concussion cases, signaling a pattern of conservative handling that could shape McCarthy’s timeline.
Unconfirmed
- Whether McCarthy will be fully cleared to play on Sunday remains undecided and depends on subsequent protocol steps and medical evaluation.
- Exact timing and nature of McCarthy’s remaining practice participation for the rest of the week have not been publicly specified by the team.
- How the Vikings will adjust game-day play-calling if Brosmer starts has not been announced and will likely be revealed only through film and staff comments after a decision.
Bottom line
The Vikings treated Wednesday as a cautious checkpoint in McCarthy’s concussion recovery, letting him do limited individual work while assigning first-team reps to Max Brosmer. That approach preserves medical prudence and keeps the offense operational for Sunday’s matchup with the Seahawks. Coaches emphasized they will follow daily evaluations and medical guidance before making a final starter decision.
For fans and analysts, the story to watch this week is twofold: McCarthy’s symptom trajectory and protocol progress, and how Brosmer translates first-team practice reps into game readiness if called upon. Both outcomes will shape short-term game strategy and the team’s assessment of quarterback depth going forward.