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Kevin Seifert
MINNEAPOLIS — Earlier than going to mattress Friday night time, J.J. McCarthy felt his feelings bubble up. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback was set to play in his first recreation in 364 days, and it was not possible to consider it as one other day of summer time soccer.
“It was simply the journey that any injured participant goes on to be again on the market and doing the factor that they love,” McCarthy mentioned after the Vikings’ 20-10 victory over the Houston Texans. “…It simply reveals how a lot I take care of this recreation.”
There was “slightly tear drop” throughout the nationwide anthem Saturday at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, McCarthy mentioned, earlier than he took the sector for a 13-play stint that cemented his return from the torn meniscus in his proper knee that ended his rookie season. McCarthy accomplished his first three passes, all to receiver Jordan Addison, and led the Vikings to a area objective on their opening drive earlier than coach Kevin O’Connell pulled him from the lineup. McCarthy completed with 4 completions in seven makes an attempt for 30 yards whereas additionally changing a fourth down with an 8-yard run.
“I like the truth that we have been capable of hit an explosive play within the move recreation,” O’Connell mentioned of an 18-yard move McCarthy threw to on an out lower to Addison. “I like the truth that we transformed some third downs. I like the truth that on the fourth down, he used his legs to ‘steal one.’ … And I feel there’s only a stage of composure and poise to how he ran the present. That was precisely what I used to be searching for and now we return to work.”
O’Connell mentioned he took McCarthy out after the primary collection primarily as a result of he did not need to play the remainder of his starters a lot additional. The Vikings began 4 of the 5 offensive linemen they’re anticipated to make use of within the common season, together with Addison and tight finish T.J. Hockenson. Tailback Aaron Jones Sr. sat out however McCarthy had veteran Jordan Mason — who will cut up carries this season with Jones — on the sector with him as nicely.
McCarthy has had his ups and downs throughout coaching camp, and Saturday was no exception. Addison reached behind him to seize one move after which drove to the bottom to catch one other, and McCarthy threw excessive to receiver Lucky Jackson on third down for an incompletion.
After a summer time of training towards defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy scheme, McCarthy discovered himself shifting sooner than he wanted to by way of his progressions Saturday.
“While you go towards Flo’s protection, your timing is at all times like one hitch and it is received to be out,” McCarthy mentioned. “And I really feel like there was a few events [Saturday] the place I may have sat in there and trusted the pocket and made a greater choice in that timeframe. The one to Fortunate throughout the center, if I’d’ve simply waited a click on longer, I’d’ve discovered him in that window.”
McCarthy’s most notable second got here one play later when he transformed the primary down along with his 8-yard scramble. The Vikings consider he suffered final yr’s meniscus damage on a run, however McCarthy has mentioned all through camp that he wouldn’t draw back from working this season and past.
“I am nonetheless looking for that second gear the place I can actually flip up the sector and all that,” he mentioned. “However we’ll save that for the common season.”
McCarthy may not play once more earlier than the crew’s regular-season opener on the Chicago Bears on Monday Evening Soccer. The Vikings have two days of joint practices this week with the New England Patriots, which O’Connell steered would take the place of preseason motion for many starters subsequent weekend, and O’Connell mentioned he’ll ultimately assess whether or not McCarthy will want any work within the preseason finale.
“It felt clear for probably the most half,” O’Connell mentioned of Saturday’s efficiency. “It is by no means going to be good, however it felt like we have been a soccer crew moving into the best route.”