The Minnesota Vikings are keeping quarterback J.J. McCarthy despite speculation leading up to Sunday's cutdown deadline that he could be released or traded.
McCarthy's future in Minnesota came under scrutiny when head coach Kevin O'Connell named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback earlier in August.
The Michigan product missed the Vikings' final preseason game Friday against the Denver Broncos after sustaining an ankle injury versus the Baltimore Ravens the week prior.
The 2024 first-round pick missed his entire rookie campaign due to a right knee injury. McCarthy was then limited to 10 games last season as a result of an ankle sprain and a concussion. He also left a pair of starts early because of a hairline fracture in his right thumb.
The Vikings kept four quarterbacks on their final roster: Murray, McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. It's unclear who will serve as Murray's primary backup to begin the regular season.
