(Update: The Vikings revealed McCarthy suffered a hairline fracture in his throwing hand and will not play on Christmas vs. the Lions)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy left Sunday’s game against the New York Giants before halftime with an injury to his throwing hand and was ruled out coming out of the break.
McCarthy was injured when his right hand struck a defender’s helmet, according to video review. He attempted to continue playing but was visibly unable to grip the football and later lost a fumble on a sack before heading to the locker room.
After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said McCarthy avoided a fracture, but acknowledged the quarterback was unable to grip the ball properly. X-rays were negative, though functional limitations prevented his return.
Dr. David Chao, Pro Football Doc, said there is growing concern that the injury may involve ligament damage rather than a bone issue. “Now there’s potential word of a ligament issue, which raises concern that it could be the MCP, or knuckle joint, in his index finger,” Chao said. “That’s why he jumped during instability testing — you saw the sideline video of him jumping.”
Chao explained that even if the fingers can be taped, grip strength and ball control remain major concerns. “You can tape your fingers together, but how much does that affect his grip?” Chao said. “There are two main types of grips for quarterbacks — index-finger dominant and middle-finger dominant.”
Chao warned that an index-finger-dominant quarterback dealing with ligament instability faces a much tougher path. “Knowing that J.J. McCarthy has an index-finger-dominant grip, my concern level changes,” Chao said. “If he has a ligament injury and can’t control the ball with that finger, there goes his grip and his accuracy.”
With a quick turnaround looming, the Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to play the Detroit Lions on Thursday night on Christmas. Given the short week and uncertainty surrounding McCarthy’s hand function, Chao said he expects Max Brosmer to be the next man up if McCarthy is unable to play.
J.J. McCarthy Injury History
In just under two seasons McCarthy has already dealt with multiple injuries costing him many games.
Rookie season
Suffered a torn meniscus in his preseason debut. He underwent season-ending surgery missing his entire rookie season.
2nd season
Suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 cause him to miss 5 games.
Suffered a concussion in Week 12 causing him to miss 1 game.
Suffered a hairline fracture in his throwing hand in Week 16 likely ending his season.
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