Ryan Kelly, Jordan Mason join J.J. McCarthy on the Vikings’ lengthy injured list

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants with a right hand injury before the second half started after heading to the locker room early for halftime.

McCarthy was hit by Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns on a second-and-4 with 25 seconds remaining in the second quarter, the ball falling loose and being scooped by safety Tyler Nubin, a former Gophers standout, for a 27-yard touchdown return.

McCarthy was taken to the locker room shortly after, with time still on the clock before halftime. The Fox broadcast later showed a clip of him having a visible reaction to Vikings medical staff examining his hand.

Coach Kevin O’Connell said postgame that he did not know the extent of McCarthy’s injury but that he believed it occurred before the quarterback scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown earlier in the second quarter.

O’Connell said McCarthy did not mention discomfort after that drive but noticed it when he went out for the following drive.

“In those moments, and I’ve done something pretty similar, quarterbacks hit their hands all the time. ... I’m not sure he was able to even grip the ball, but I’m not sure if he even knew or not at that point,” O’Connell said.

McCarthy was seen in the locker room postgame with what appeared a medical-grade fingerless glove on his right hand.

Rookie Max Brosmer took over starting with a kneeldown to close the first half. He played the remainder of the game — his first snaps since starting and completing the Vikings’ shutout loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 30 — with seven completions on nine attempts for 52 yards.

The Vikings began the game without starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw, outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard and safety Josh Metellus, who were shut down for the season last week. Defensive lineman Javon Hargrave also missed the game with an injury.

Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill played through a heel injury suffered in the Vikings’ win at Dallas last week.

O’Neill said postgame he found out he would be able to play through the injury about 1 hour 45 minutes before the game following an on-field workout.

With O’Neill active, both Justin Skule and Blake Brandel were available to fill Darrisaw’s spot. Darrisaw was moved to injured reserve Dec. 19, as he and the Vikings decided to turn their sights toward a fully healthy 2026 season. Darrisaw has had an up-and-down year returning from his 2024 knee injury.

Skule started the game; he was also in lineup for Darrisaw against the Cowboys.

But the Vikings did not last long before they needed another backup lineman. Center Ryan Kelly went to the medical tent midway through the second quarter and was evaluated for his third concussion of the season.

Kelly was ruled out before the start of the second half.

Earlier this season, while Kelly was on injured reserve recovering from his second concussion, the Vikings played Brandel at center. The Vikings opted instead to use second-year Michael Jurgens on Sunday, leaving Brandel — their most versatile offensive lineman — available in case of need elsewhere.

“Obviously, I gotta go back and watch the tape,” O’Neill added, “but from a communication standpoint from J.J. to Ryan, to J.J. to Jurgs, to Max to Jurgs, I thought as a whole the people doing the majority of the communication did a really good job.”

Vikings running backs Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason suffered ankle injuries on the team’s opening drive, forcing them to turn to Zavier Scott early in the game.

Scott carried twice in that opening drive for a total 4 yards before it ended on a McCarthy interception.

Later, during what became the game-winning drive for the Vikings in the fourth quarter, Scott caught a screen pass from Brosmer and took it 8 yards upfield for a first down, forcing the Giants to use their first timeout.

“You can get a little nervous when you know it’s coming to you, but he did a great job of navigating it, getting up field and fighting for extra yards as well,” Jones said. “We didn’t expect anything less of him, but we are proud of him.”

Jones said his ankle was rolled up on from the backside, and it felt weak when he stood up. He was having it taped in the medical tent when Mason’s injury occurred.

“We’re in the tent together, and I’m like: ‘No freaking way. I gotta get out there,’” Jones said. “I felt like I could play through it, but it was also I needed to be out there for those guys as well. It’s not ideal to go through a game with one back.”