J.J. McCarthy injury update: Vikings QB (concussion) ruled out, leaving undrafted rookie Max Brosmer to start
The Vikings are down to their third-string QB as J.J. McCarthy misses his sixth game of the season
The Minnesota Vikings will start their third different quarterback of the season on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, as the team announced that undrafted rookie Max Brosmer will lead the offense in Week 13. J.J. McCarthy will miss his sixth start of the season after he suffered a concussion last week in the 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
McCarthy was injured during Minnesota's loss to Green Bay. He was on the field for the Vikings' final drive late in the fourth quarter and threw an interception to Packers defensive back Evan Williams that allowed Green Bay to run the clock out. It marked McCarthy's second interception of the game and 10th of the season. The 2024 first-round pick also threw for a season-low 87 yards and posted a passer rating of 34.2, the worst of his career.
McCarthy has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in four of his six starts this season. He entered the 2025 season as Minnesota's starter after the Vikings let Sam Darnold walk in free agency.
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McCarthy had three interceptions to two touchdowns in Minnesota's first two games before suffering a high ankle sprain that kept him sidelined for over a month. McCarthy returned on Nov. 2 and led the Vikings to a win against the Detroit Lions.
The Vikings are 0-3 in their last three games with McCarthy leading the offense. McCarthy, who joined Minnesota as the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, also missed all of his rookie season after tearing his meniscus in his first preseason game with the Vikings.
Who is Max Brosmer?
Brosmer, 24, found his way to the Vikings this offseason after going undrafted out of the University of Minnesota. In his lone season at Minnesota, Brosmer threw for 2,617 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 66.8% of his attempts.
Brosmer arrived at Minnesota after emerging as an FCS All-American at New Hampshire, where he started 34 games across four seasons. In his final season at New Hampshire, Brosmer threw for 3,464 yards and 29 touchdowns before using his final year of eligibility to transfer up to the FBS level.
Despite a strong season at Minnesota, Brosmer went undrafted but caught on with the Vikings and made the team as the third-string quarterback behind McCarthy and Carson Wentz (who is also injured). In the preseason, Brosmer completed 60.3% of his passes for 364 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Brosmer has actually seen time in three games this season, completing 5 of 8 passes for 42 yards.
And with McCarthy and Wentz now sidelined, Brosmer will make his first career NFL start on Sunday in Seattle.
