Vikings throwing J.J. McCarthy back into the fire (and fans are sweating)

Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy | Adam Bettcher/GettyImagesOn Saturday, J.J. McCarthy is going to have the opportunity to return to the site where his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings abruptly came to an end.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced on Monday that McCarthy will be playing in the team's 2025 preseason opener against the Houston Texans inside U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday. It will be the second-year quarterback's first in-game NFL action since he played in Minnesota's first preseason matchup of 2024 against the Las Vegas Raiders last August.

McCarthy played well in the exhibition contest against the Raiders last summer, completing 11 of his 17 throws (64.7…