J.J. McCarthy Cleared to Start Week 14: Vikings Hope Rookie QB Can Spark Offense Against Commanders
Minnesota is getting its starting quarterback back just in time for a pivotal Week 14 matchup. Rookie J.J. McCarthy has officially cleared concussion protocol and is expected to be under center when the Vikings host the Washington Commanders this Sunday.
McCarthy missed last week’s shutout loss to the Seahawks after self-reporting concussion symptoms following Minnesota’s Week 12 defeat to Green Bay. The former first-round pick has had a rocky start to his NFL career, and the numbers tell the story.
In six starts, McCarthy has completed just 54.1% of his passes for 929 yards, with six touchdowns against 10 interceptions. The Vikings are 2-4 in those games.
It’s been a trial-by-fire kind of season for the rookie, and for the Vikings as a whole. Injuries have been a recurring theme, particularly at quarterback, and the offense has struggled to find rhythm or consistency. In McCarthy’s six starts, Minnesota has scored 27, 6, 27, 19, 17, and 6 points - a rollercoaster that leans more toward the bottom than the top.
Still, McCarthy’s return has already moved the betting line. Oddsmakers initially had the Vikings as slight 1.5-point favorites at home against Washington, but with McCarthy’s status uncertain earlier in the week, the line flipped - Minnesota became a 1.5-point underdog. Now that he’s back in the fold, the Vikings have regained the edge as favorites.
That might say more about the Commanders’ defense than it does about Minnesota’s offensive firepower. Washington ranks 28th in the NFL in points allowed, and they’ve had trouble keeping opponents out of the end zone all season.
On paper, it’s a favorable matchup for McCarthy and the Vikings. But given how inconsistent this offense has been - and with the team averaging just 18.7 points per game overall - nothing is guaranteed.
McCarthy’s return brings hope, but it also brings pressure. This is a team that’s still looking for answers at quarterback, and the final stretch of the season could go a long way in shaping how the franchise views its young signal-caller going forward. Sunday’s game is a chance for McCarthy to show growth, poise, and command - and for the Vikings to prove they can put together a complete performance when it matters most.