J.J. McCarthy returns to practice from hand injury, calls himself ‘day-to-day’

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Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy returned to practice Wednesday, Dec. 31, from an injury to his throwing hand.

McCarthy suffered a hairline fracture in his right hand in the first half against the New York Giants on Dec. 21 that forced an early exit from the game. He missed the Vikings’ Dec. 25 win over the Detroit Lions, the seventh time this season he was sidelined by injury.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said in his news conference before practice that the plan was to give McCarthy “as much [work] as possible” in order to properly gauge McCarthy’s recovery.

O’Connell also said McCarthy went through a workout with trainers Dec. 30, which the coach referred to as “a really positive kind of throwing session.”

McCarthy was listed as a limited participant on the Dec. 31 practice report. He described himself as “day-to-day” during his post-practice news conference.

McCarthy also said his hand injury was “a multitude of things. Things that happen over the year,” and described the fracture as “one of them.”

“It was a great learning lesson for me to handle that situation a lot better in the future,” McCarthy said. “If I don’t feel like I can go or there’s any sort of gray, just take it into halftime and regroup from there.”

McCarthy’s grip strength has been cited as the key factor to whether or not he plays against the Green Bay Packers in Sunday’s season finale.

He was not seen wearing a glove during practice and did not appear to have his hand taped either.

“I felt really good today,” McCarthy said. “I felt like the ball was spinning.”

McCarthy went through all the standard machinations of the early portion of practice, including throwing at a net, snapping with center Michael Jurgens and passing to members of staff. He did not appear to have trouble with any of the actions.

McCormick has three seasons of experience, most recently spending time on practice squads of the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Raiders in 2022 out of Texas-San Antonio.

In 2024, he appeared in five games for the Raiders, rushing 39 times for 183 yards and also catching six passes for 29 yards.

McCormick’s addition comes as the Vikings running back room is dealing with a number of injuries.

Jordan Mason missed the Lions game with an ankle injury suffered on the opening drive against the Giants on Dec. 21, and Aaron Jones Sr. has been playing through multiple injuries.

Mason was a limited participant in practice Dec. 31; Jones was a non-participant because of a listed hip injury.

Meanwhile, the Packers picked up former Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs from waivers. Diggs was released by Dallas on Dec. 30.

Diggs has missed eight games this season because of a concussion and right knee injury. The Packers lost two cornerbacks to injuries in their loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 27.

Vikings veteran safety Harrison Smith was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 17.

This is Smith’s third time earning the award in his career.

Smith made an early sack and had an interception against Lions quarterback Jared Goff, the 39th of his career. He also had three tackles and three passes defensed.

Five other Vikings were limited in practice, too: linebacker Blake Cashman (elbow), right tackle Brian O’Neill (heel), defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez (rib), Mason and McCarthy.

Tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back) was a full participant. He is working through his 21-day window for return from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

The only non-participants were Jones, tight end T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) and wide receiver Myles Price (ankle).