2025 NFL Preseason Week 1: J.J. McCarthy Picked to Play for Vikings vs. Texans
Minnesota Vikings fans hoping to see J.J. McCarthy back in NFL action finally will get their wish this week.
Head Coach Kevin O’Connell recently confirmed that McCarthy will play in the first preseason game against the Texans. This will likely be the only meaningful preseason action McCarthy sees. This game might give us our first hint at the answer to the question on everyone’s minds: how good is J.J. McCarthy?
McCarthy’s playing time isn’t the only notable thing happening in the Vikings’ preseason opener. Here’s a few other storylines to watch for on Saturday as your favorite people in purple play in U.S. Bank Stadium.
What WRs will play well?
Justin Jefferson’s hamstring strain opened up lanes for other wide receivers to get serious training camp reps. Now Jordan Addison’s suspension creates a real need for another wide receiver to step up. Some Vikings fans have begun calling for a trade to bring in another wide receiver like Adam Thielen. The hometown hero’s return would certainly be welcome in Minnesota. He had over 6,600 yards and 55 reception TDs in 9 seasons with the Vikings before moving to the Carolina Panthers in 2023.
A trade for him, however, could also cost the Vikings a draft pick. The current WR room could put those trade calls to rest by playing well in the preseason. Look for fourth-year Jalen Nailor, third-round rookie Tai Felton, and offseason addition Rondale Moore all looking to prove they’re worth playing time. Don’t discount Lucky Jackson either, as the practice squad standout has had a great training camp. This may be the only preseason game J.J. McCarthy plays. Whoever stands out at WR in this game will likely be catching his passes in the regular season, too.
Vikings Need to Make a Decision at Cornerback
This Vikings defense could be scary good this season. Just how scary they are rests on how their cornerbacks perform. The CB position has been a revolving door for the Vikings for the last few seasons. The changes made this offseason brought in Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah to battle for a starting cornerback job next to Byron Murphy Jr. Dwight McGlothern, a 2024 undrafted free agent signing, is also fighting for time. He’s had several interceptions in training camp to put himself into the mix. Third-year USC product Mehki Blackmon is also trying to claw back a starting job after he missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
The odds and offseason praise tip the scale in the favor of Isaiah Rodgers. However, Jeff Okudah has received plenty of praise as well from defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and Dwight McGlothern has had a solid training camp. Blackmon also showed real promise in his rookie year before his knee injury. He logged 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, and 8 pass breakups in 15 games in 2023 and started 3 of those contests. Okudah, McGlothern, and Blackmon will all have their best chances to show they should start in all three of the Vikings preseason games. Whoever gets off to a hot start with a great first game against a Texans’ team with WR depth will be best set up for gaining the CB2 role.
While most preseason games are low stakes, this one could prove to have real consequences. Be sure to tune in at 3:00 CDT to watch the Vikings take on the Texans. Let’s hope that Skol nation can start setting sail on the ship to the Super Bowl.