Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy embracing ‘learning moments’ as defense has early upper hand in training camp

There have been a lot of learning moments – not losses – for 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy during Vikings training camp this week.

That’s how McCarthy, last year’s 10th overall pick now in a starting role, prefers to look at his ongoing development against a feisty Vikings defense that hasn’t given him many throwing lanes or clean pockets so far in practices.

“Honestly, constant improvement,” McCarthy said before Wednesday’s session when asked how he judges a successful day. “Learning every single day and when the periods don’t go your way, you’re always asking why. It’s never a loss. You’re always learning from it. … Those periods where they really get you, I feel like that’s where we learn the most about ourselves and our offense.”

The Vikings defense got to him often Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Monday, McCarthy’s hurry-up drill saw flurries of pressure and ended in a third-down sack. On Tuesday, he completed just 3 of 11 passes in a red-zone period that saw him miss his targets behind or wide, as well as a couple catches ruled out when the receiver didn’t get his feet down in bounds.

“Missing by inches,” McCarthy said of the red-zone drill. “That’s what happens when you’re down in the red zone. You got to be detail oriented and really specific with where you’re putting the ball. But there was a lot of good things on tape … just more great reps to put under my belt.”

On Wednesday, McCarthy traded good and bad plays. Poor timing and accuracy appeared to affect two deep throws targeting receiver Jordan Addison; one was intercepted and one deflected by safety Jay Ward. McCarthy then fled pressure from edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and flicked an arcing pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson down the sideline.

“Not having those reps last year, that’s something you miss out on when you take a substantial amount of time off from throwing the football,” McCarthy said. “You got to find that touch again. There was a lot of throws in OTAs where I felt I could’ve had a better outcome if I had that touch. Just learning from failures and trying to get better.”

He’s also been working without his top receiver, Justin Jefferson, who missed a fifth straight practice Wednesday due to a hamstring strain.

“We were in a really great spot,” McCarthy said. “We spent a lot of time together in the offseason getting on the same page. He’s a different receiver. He moves in different ways. … We’re going to pick up right where we left off. We’re still communicating off the field. He’s still communicating with me on the field about how he’d run certain routes and where the ball placement would be.”

A big development happened Wednesday when 315-pound left tackle Christian Darrisaw returned to the starting lineup during 11-on-11 drills.

Darrisaw’s limited snaps marked the first time the Vikings’ revamped offensive line has worked together since signing center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries during free agency in March. Darrisaw is still recovering from two torn ligaments in his left knee he suffered in October.

Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was the Raiders’ prize free-agent signing when he agreed to a four-year, $110 million contract just 16 months ago. But he was released last week amid a reported disagreement with the team over his rehab from a foot injury.

Wilkins’ split with Las Vegas is messy, involving the team’s attempt to void the remaining guaranteed money in his deal, a NFLPA grievance filed on his behalf, and a reported incident involving a Raiders teammate filing a complaint with human resources about Wilkins’ behavior.

Wilkins, 29, was a 2019 first-round pick by then-Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. Wilkins started 43 games in their three seasons together.

Does Flores want him in Minnesota? The Vikings already signed two free-agent interior defensive line starters, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, in March.

“I have a lot of history with Christian,” Flores said. “We got a group we feel really good about D-line wise, but I don’t mind adding more. ... I don’t know what happened with the injury. I’m hopeful he gets back healthy and can get out there and play, because I know he loves to play.”