The Minnesota Vikings have a short week after a tilt with the New York Giants . It was an ugly, and injury-plagued victory over Mike Kafka 's squad, but Kevin O'Connell has to turn his team around for a Christmas Day contest.
The Detroit Lions come to town licking their wounds after a loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers . Their postseason probability currently sits on life support, but Minnesota can snuff it out while enjoying the spoiler title.
Although the Vikings didn't actually take the practice field on Monday, the first injury report is hardly promising. We now have a level of certainty to availability as well.
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It doesn't really matter that there wasn't an official practice for the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. The fact that starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy wasn't going to be available says everything we need to know about his availability for Thursday. It's going to be the Max Brosmer show.
The #Vikings first injury report of the week.
The team did not conduct an official practice so participation is an estimation. pic.twitter.com/eryXao2vye— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 22, 2025
Apparently McCarthy avoided a fracture, which seemed very plausible, but the extent of his injury should be revealed as the week progresses. For now, he would not have practiced on Monday, and it doesn't seem as though there is enough time for him to be ready by Thursday.
Tough way for JJ McCarthy to end his day… pic.twitter.com/OD3XWgqVJn
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) December 21, 2025
The New York Giants are not a good football team. Despite a better7-8 record , it's hard to argue that the Minnesota Vikings are a good one either.
On Sunday J.J. McCarthy put up 108 yards passing on 9-of-14 attempts while having one of his many tipped attempts intercepted. It's been an ugly showing for the Michigan product, but he left the game with another injury. After getting crushed his hand became the center of attention, and it appears he'll miss at least one of the final two games of the season.
Max Brosmer should make his second start of the season, and veteran John Wolford will likely back him up . It would be hard for the former Minnesota Gophers quarterback to be worse than he was in his debut. Four interceptions against the Seattle Seahawks would be difficult to top, but hopefully he can substantiate his second-half performance against New York.
The Minnesota Vikings need to figure out what their future looks like and that may very well be a new quarterback. No matter what, they can't continue to be as hurt as they have been.
Christian Darrisaw is already out for the season , and it's likely that Ryan Kelly follows in his footsteps amidst another concussion. If Brian O'Neill is going to be out too, the quarterback position might as well be put on notice.
McCarthy has struggled to stay healthy this year largely on his own accord. If Brosmer is taking over under center, he's going to be working with a skeleton crew.
Will Fries and Donovan Jackson would be the only remaining starting members of a line that was heavily invested in this offseason . That's a tough reality to deal with, but it's one that Minnesota must grapple with for the final two weeks , and figure out into next season.
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