The Minnesota Vikings took on the Houston Texans in game one of the 2025 preseason on Saturday, and it was a special one for fans of the NFC North team as their former first round pick JJ McCarthy made his return from a torn meniscus in his right knee that knocked him out for the 2024-25 season. The Texans grabbed an early 7-3 lead but McCarthy impressed with deft passing while showing his trademark elusiveness that he became famous for with the Michigan Wolverines, where he finished 27-1 over the course of his college football career. McCarthy highlights were plastered to social media showing that the returning player and expected Minnesota starter has plenty of speed to burn even after undergoing two knee surgeries during his missed rookie season.
JJ McCarthy Shows Elusiveness, Speed Early in Return Game vs. Texans originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings took on the Houston Texans in game one of the 2025 preseason on Saturday, and it was a special one for fans of the NFC North team as their former first round pick JJ McCarthy made his return from a torn meniscus in his right knee that knocked him out for the 2024-25 season.
The Texans grabbed an early 7-3 lead but McCarthy impressed with deft passing while showing his trademark elusiveness that he became famous for with the Michigan Wolverines, where he finished 27-1 over the course of his college football career.
McCarthy highlights were plastered to social media showing that the returning player and expected Minnesota starter has plenty of speed to burn even after undergoing two knee surgeries during his missed rookie season.
Kevin O'Connell's team handed the ball over to the former Wolverines star and immediately saw results.
He scrambled for a first down that caused a commotion on social media.
We didn’t get to see JJ McCarthy at the Combine, but his speed is legit.
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 9, 2025
He gets outside of the pocket for a 1st down easily. pic.twitter.com/PX8WYg05ZW
One fan was not impressed as he shared his thoughts on the McCarthy play.
"Name one of those Texans players. Spoiler: They're all 2nd and 3rd string. Lmao," the fan wrote.
McCarthy finished 4-of-7 passing for 30 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. He ran for eight yards on his first down scramble and was eventually replaced by former Washington quarterback and North Carolina Tar Heels fifth round draft pick Sam Howell.
Howell, seemingly inspired by the crowd and McCarthy's return, completed his first six passes for 42 yards as the Vikings drew to within 7-6 in the early going.
The game came amid video postings of McCarthy's kind gesture to an impressionable young fan. An update on Justin Jefferson was also revealed before the game.
The Vikings saw flashes of greatness yet again from McCarthy on Saturday. Whether or not he will be ready to star from week one of the regular season is anyone's guess, but for now he is doing his best to restore fans' faith in his immense talents.
Related: Vikings' J.J. McCarthy Gets Honest About Chemistry With Justin Jefferson
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
