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By Max Dible
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Minnesota Vikings are rolling with quarterback JJ McCarthy in Week 18, despite the second-year player missing the last game and a half with a hairline fracture in his throwing hand.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell made the announcement on Friday during a press conference.
"J.J. McCarthy (hand) has no injury designation and will start Sunday, per Kevin O’Connell," Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported via X.
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The decision has raised some eyebrows around the NFL, simply because Minnesota (8-8) has literally no stakes entering Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings won't even have the opportunity to play the role of spoiler, as the Packers have the No. 7 seed in the NFC locked up regardless of the outcome Sunday.
Read More: Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Gets Candid on JJ McCarthy’s Future
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To that end, Green Bay has ruled out a healthy Jordan Love following six consecutive quarters on the sideline with a concussion he sustained late in the first half against the Chicago Bears in Week 16.
Backup Malik Willis is also questionable for the contest as of Friday, which means the quarterback lineup for Green Bay could be Clayton Tune as the starter and Desmond Ridder as the No. 2.
Minnesota currently owns the rights to the No. 17 overall pick in next year's draft, and can only drop with a win. However, the team with the best record in the league that doesn't make the postseason picks No. 18, so the Vikings' risks of victory aren't high in that regard.
That said, the Miami Dolphins hold the highest selection (No. 11) of teams with a record of 7-9 or better heading into Week 18, which means a loss to Green Bay could catapult Minnesota several spots up the draft board.
Given the circumstances, it is reasonable to assume that the Vikings' front office and coaching staff value achieving a winning year (9-8) and gathering more data on McCarthy heading into the offseason than they do a slightly to moderately higher draft pick next April.
McCarthy has been unplayable at worst and reasonably competent at best in his second professional campaign, during which he has appeared in just nine games to this point due to a variety of injuries. Minnesota is likely to bring in at least one quarterback, if not more, to compete with McCarthy for the role of QB1 in 2026.
Read More: Vikings Linked to Possible JJ McCarthy Split in New Speculation
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