Vikings plan to play QB J.J. McCarthy on Saturday in preseason opener vs. Texans

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium, coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.

McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, has not played since the Vikings’ preseason opener one year ago, when McCarthy suffered the torn meniscus in his right knee that ended his rookie season before it started.

Now healthy, McCarthy has taken over the reins of the first-team offense and is expected to start Saturday against the Texans.

How long he will play remains to be seen. O’Connell said Monday he had not yet told McCarthy the plan.

The Vikings don’t frequently play starters in the preseason under O’Connell, who put Sam Darnold into exhibition action for one 12-play drive last season.

McCarthy might not play another preseason snap after Saturday. O’Connell has often cited joint practices as the most important reps of the summer for the team’s preparation. The Vikings host New England for joint practices on Aug. 13 and 14 before the Aug. 16 preseason game against the Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Would McCarthy play against New England, too?

McCarthy likely will not have all starters with him.

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been out since July 24 because of a left hamstring strain. O’Connell has said Jefferson wasn’t going to play in the preseason.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson is also dealing with an injury. Hockenson removed himself from Saturday’s practice with a lower-body injury. He stretched out his groin trying to shake off the issue but did not return.

O’Connell classified Hockenson’s injury as “day-to-day.”

“Just a hip, leg, back — whatever you want to classify it as,” O’Connell said. “I’m not a doctor. I wouldn’t even be able to pronounce [the injury].”

Center Ryan Kelly (elbow) and safety Josh Metellus (ankle) also did not practice Monday night. Safety Harrison Smith and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen had scheduled rest days.

Safety Jay Ward returned to practice after missing two sessions because of an undisclosed issue.

The Vikings defense has had the upper hand over the young McCarthy throughout training camp, and Monday night was no different.

McCarthy was often flustered from the pocket and throwing on the run during 11-on-11 drills at TCO Stadium, where the team holds its annual night practice for fans. His longest pass sailed over the head of wide receiver Jordan Addison about 20 yards downfield.

McCarthy’s operation also had a couple of false starts while working with backup center Michael Jurgens, who replaced Kelly, the injured starter, for the night.

Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said cornerback Isaiah Rodgers is an opening day option at kick returner, a position that should get more action this year as touchbacks now start offenses at the 35-yard line.

But Daniels said that will require some discussion among the coaching staff weighing the risk and reward of using a starting cornerback on special teams. Daniels wants Rodgers, whom he said might have the best “start-and-stop” ability on the team. Yet two other players — running back Ty Chandler and wide receiver Tai Felton — were returning kicks in practice.

“I’m still battling,” Daniels said. “We’ll see if I come out on top.”

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores sounded as if he wants his starting cornerback focused on playing defense.

“We want to put our best players out on the field on defense,” Flores said. “[Daniels] wants to put his best players on the field in the kicking game. Look, my career started on special teams. That phase is near and dear to me. ... I understand, I get it. We’ll always put our heads together at the end.”

Candidates include receiver Rondale Moore, the ex-Purdue star who last was a full-time punt returner as an Arizona Cardinals rookie in 2021. Moore, 25, is also coming off a major knee injury last August, which Daniels revealed was a dislocated kneecap.

Since Moore has returned in training camp, Daniels said he has seen the same burst. Now the coach wants to see even more from Moore.