The Seattle Seahawks will be facing what amounts to a rookie quarterback when they play host to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Minnesota is all too familiar with the quarterback at the controls of the Seahawks’ offense.
J.J. McCarthy, a first-round pick in 2024 who missed all of last season after surgery for a torn meniscus on his knee and several weeks earlier in this campaign with a high ankle sprain, was placed in the concussion protocol following last Sunday’s 23-6 loss at Green Bay.
With veteran backup Carson Wentz on injured reserve after shoulder surgery, that means the Vikings (4-7) might have to start undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.
McCarthy was cleared to take part in individual drills in midweek practices but not work out with the full team, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said.
“As far as a zero hour, I don’t necessarily know if we’re looking at it like that,” O’Connell said. “But you do want to take into account what has (McCarthy’s) preparation been like, what has the practice week been like with what he’s able to do, while also knowing that ultimately this is not a hand or an ankle or anything like that. We’re talking about his head.”
Brosmer has attempted eight NFL passes since completing his collegiate career at Minnesota after being a graduate transfer from New Hampshire of the Football Championship Subdivision.
“We have nothing but confidence in him and what he can do as a player,” Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson said, “and it’ll be a good opportunity for all of us.”
Whomever starts at quarterback might be playing behind a rag-tag offensive line. The Vikings had their full complement of starters for the first time all season at Green Bay before left tackle Christian Darrisaw (foot) and left guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) left with injuries. Both sat out practice to begin the week.
The Seahawks (8-3) are coming off a 30-24 victory at Tennessee in which they built a 20-point lead in the third quarter and coasted from there.
Sam Darnold, who signed with the Seahawks in the offseason after resurrecting his career in Minnesota last year, completed 16 of 26 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
Both TDs went to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had eight catches for a season-high 167 yards.
Smith-Njibga leads the NFL in receiving yards with 1,313 and already has eclipsed the franchise record. With six games remaining, he could become the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiver.
“It means a lot,” Smith-Njigba said of the team record. “This is a great organization, and great receivers have come through here. Honestly, I look at it as a team award, because, without Sam (Darnold), without the protection, without (fellow wideouts) Sheed (Rashid Shaheed) and Coop (Cooper Kupp), this doesn’t happen.”
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who missed last week’s game with a knee injury, was a full participant in practice this week, while running back George Holani (hamstring), linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (ankle) and safety Ty Okada (oblique) sat out.
With Jones, the Seahawks’ defensive play-caller, sidelined, Patrick O’Connell was promoted from the practice squad and made a career-high nine tackles with a sack.
“Whoever it is, whatever number it is, whatever guy it is, when they are being called on and it’s their time to go, they’ve been ready,” Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas said. “So, credit to the guys that we have and the leadership really to get everybody ready to go for their moment.”
