JJ McCarthy Injury Update: What Happened to Vikings QB in Week 16 vs. Giants

The 2025 season has been nothing short of brutal for JJ McCarthy, and Sunday’s game against the New York Giants wasn’t any different for his injury-ridden campaign.

The Vikings quarterback was forced to exit the game at halftime after suffering a right-hand injury, as his abrupt end came on the backdrop of a sack towards the end of the second quarter. The injury occurred after he appeared to have hit his right hand awkwardly, which saw the young quarterback walking back to the locker room alongside Vikings medical personnel.

Status alert: JJ McCarthy (right hand) won’t return Sunday.

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) December 21, 2025

The hand injury is the third significant injury McCarthy has dealt with in 2025. A Grade 3 high ankle sprain against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 14 put him out for five games, while a concussion sustained in late November following a loss to the Green Bay Packers sidelined him again.

Through eight appearances this season, McCarthy has completed 117 of 206 passing attempts for 1,342 yards, with 11 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, along with a 72.1 passer rating.

Minnesota Leads 13-10 to Start Fourth Quarter

Minnesota opened the game as they scored after taking advantage of a favorable starting field position, settling for a 43-yard field goal to take an early 3–0 lead.

New York answered on its next possession as rookie kicker Ben Sauls converted a 27-yard field goal, tying the game at 3–3. The Vikings regained the lead after completing a 64-yard drive, finishing it with a 31-yard field goal to go 6–3.

JJ MCCARTHY SCRAMBLES FOR THE TD

MINvsNYG on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/6yBMa5lUnK

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

Minnesota added to its advantage late in the half as quarterback JJ McCarthy scored a rushing touchdown to make the score 13–3. The Giants responded as safety Tyler Nubin scooped up a fumble and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown, bringing the Giants to 10 points.

The Vikings currently hold a 13–10 lead against the Giants with a little over 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter.