Vikings QB JJ McCarthy returns to action 364 days after injury

When Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy took the field Saturday, it marked the end of a 364-day hiatus from in-game action for the second-year gunslinger.

The Vikings’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans was McCarthy’s first game back healthy since Aug. 10, 2024, when he tore his meniscus in Minnesota’s 2024 preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. The injury robbed McCarthy of his rookie season before it even began.

The Michigan product started Saturday in his return to action and played a solid first drive.

McCarthy’s knee looked plenty healthy as he moved around inside and out of the pocket. That fact was most apparent when he took off for an eight-yard rush on fourth-and-4 to pick up a first down.

Vikings backup Sam Howell took over for McCarthy after the team’s first offensive possession, which ended in a 48-yard field goal from Will Reichard.

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J.J. McCarthy preseason stats

Here’s how McCarthy’s performance looked in the box score after his one-drive return to game action:

• Completion rate: 4 of 7 (57%)

• Passing yards: 30

• Touchdowns: 0

• Interceptions: 0

• Rush attempts: 1

• Rushing yards: 8

In his limited time back on the field in his return, McCarthy did plenty to show why the Vikings are placing their trust in him after passing on signing veteran free agents and letting Sam Darnold walk in free agency.

On his first pass attempt, McCarthy faked a handoff then rolled out to his left before hitting Jordan Addison with a strike for a short gain. He converted his first chance on third down with a quick pass to Addison.

A couple of plays later, he made his best throw of the game with a deeper pass, again to Addison, to pick up 18 yards. It was a well-placed throw between the trailing defender and the sideline – one made more impressive by the execution with pressure in his face and bit of lower-body contact after the play.

In case there were still any concerns about McCarthy’s knee health, his aforementioned eight-yard scramble to pick up a first down should put most doubts to bed.

Once again facing pressure up the middle on a fourth-down play in Texans territory, McCarthy sprinted out to his right to avoid the pass-rush before he cruised ahead for the first down.

The two worst plays by McCarthy were small miscues: a batted pass on an apparent RPO to his back side and an overthrow to an open receiver on third down to close out his lone drive.

Overall, a strong showing for McCarthy without lead receiver Justin Jefferson active for the game, showing a strong connection with Addison, his No. 2 receiver. That could come into play by Week 4 of the regular season, when Addison returns from his three-game suspension for violating the league’s Substances of Abuse policy.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JJ McCarthy preseason stats: Vikings QB returns from knee injury