EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are embarking on another round of injury evaluation for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who did not play in the second half of Sunday’s 16-13 victory over the New York Giants because of a hand injury.

X-rays on the hand were negative, coach Kevin O’Connell said, but McCarthy was scheduled for further testing Monday. The Vikings have a short week of preparation before their next game, which is scheduled for Thursday afternoon against the Detroit Lions.

The tight turnaround raises the possibility that McCarthy will miss his seventh game of the season because of a third different injury. A high right ankle sprain cost him five games earlier this season and he sat out a sixth while in concussion protocol. He missed all of his rookie season in 2024 because of a torn meniscus in his right knee.

“It’s a bummer just because I’m having a blast coaching him,” O’Connell said, “and seeing the growth of a young player getting the opportunity to actually go out there and grow and develop. And I’ve been so proud of the way, really these last few weeks, he’s come back and just really shown some growth. So, you’d love to have him. Love to have him for two straight home games to finish [the season] and we’ll see where his hand’s at, and if he has the ability to play for us again. I sure hope so.”

McCarthy was wearing a latex glove on the hand in the postgame locker room. The Vikings said he was unavailable for comment.

McCarthy had produced his two best games of the season in wins over the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys, producing a combined 82.1 QBR that ranked fifth in the NFL over that period. His performance Sunday was a bit more uneven. O’Connell praised his decision-making, but his accuracy was less consistent, and his receivers struggled to corral some of his throws.

Jordan Addison dropped a touchdown pass in the first quarter and Jalen Nailor let another throw bounce off him for an interception. Overall, McCarthy completed 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards. He did not throw for a touchdown but staked the Vikings to a 13-3 lead in the second quarter with a 12-yard scoring run.

At some point prior to that score, McCarthy had suffered the injury. O’Connell said he did not know exactly when it happened and did not think that McCarthy did, either. Video review showed that two plays before the touchdown, McCarthy hit hand on the helmet of Giants defensive lineman Ray Robertson-Harris. In Week 10, McCarthy bruised his right hand in a similar manner. He did not miss any game time for that injury but wore protective padding for the ensuing two weeks.

McCarthy did not mention Sunday’s injury to coaches or medical staff on the sideline, but it grew evident on the next series. With 25 seconds remaining in the half, O’Connell called a quick receiver screen play. But McCarthy did not throw the ball, allowing unblocked Giants linebacker Brian Burns to sack him and force a fumble. Safety Tyler Nubin recovered and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown.

“The ball needs to be thrown right away,” O’Connell said, “and he knows that. He had done it already in the game. And if you do hold it on a receiver perimeter screen, the backside defensive end is coming and he knows that. So, I haven’t seen [replays] yet, but my guess is he could not grip the football.”

When an athletic trainer began examining the hand on the sideline, McCarthy grimaced in pain, pulled his arm away and walked to the Vikings’ locker room.

“It sucks,” right tackle Brian O’Neill said of McCarthy suffering another injury. “With the strides he’s made the last few weeks, and even months, you hate to see it. The growth and trajectory that he’s been on recently has been fun to play with. It’s fun to be a part of. And that’s another one of the reasons why you see guys fighting through things to be able to play is because they want to be a part of it and we want to be out with him. Fingers crossed is not too bad.”

Backup Max Brosmer played the second half, completing seven of nine passes for 52 yards. Brosmer would start Thursday against the Lions if McCarthy is unavailable.

The Vikings suffered two other significant injuries in the game. Running back Jordan Mason suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return, and center Ryan Kelly was placed into concussion protocol.

Kelly was on injured reserve for nearly two months this season after suffering concussions in Weeks 2 and 4. Sunday’s concussion is the sixth in his NFL career.

“We’re all just hoping and really just thinking about him,” O’Connell said.

O’Connell said he wanted to review the play that Kelly was injured on because “I don’t know where the contact could have come from in the normal rhythm of a play like that.”

Several Vikings players had “concerns” about the way Kelly was injured, O’Connell said, but he would not elaborate. Video of the play showed Kelly colliding with Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke, who was attempting to fill a hole.

The Arizona Cardinals may be completely out of the playoff race, but quarterback Jacoby Brissett and wide receiver Michael Wilson were still giving it their all in Week 16.

Brissett found Wilson streaking up the field in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons. Wilson went up for the catch over Falcons cornerback Cobee Bryant. The ball was batted around between both players and, somehow, Wilson came down with it.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The pass was initially ruled incomplete as it appeared the ball may have touched the ground at some point during the play. But a replay showed that the ball was bobbled multiple times, went off Bryant and finally landed in the hands of Wilson for the touchdown.

NFL fans, and even Bryant, were left stunned after it was reviewed.

Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett warms up before the Atlanta Falcons game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PANTHERS TAKE ENORMOUS STEP TOWARD ENDING PLAYOFF DROUGHT WITH THRILLING WIN OVER BUCS

The third-year wide receiver has put up his best season yet. Wilson achieved career highs in receptions (66) and receiving yards (766) going into the matchup against the Falcons. The touchdown for Wilson marked his fifth of the season, which is also a career high.

Brissett was making his 10th start of the season as he’s been used plenty since Kyler Murray went down with an injury. Brissett had 2,708 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes ahead of their game against Atlanta. The Wilson touchdown pass was his 19th of the season, which is a career high.

Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX News, Sports, and Entertainment at our lowest price of the year. The offer ends on Jan. 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Arizona was 3-11 coming into the game and Atlanta was 5-9.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

• Pakistan U-19s return home after historic Asia Cup win over India.
• Young supporters sing patriotic songs, and celebrate despite cold.
• Children loudly cheer players as banners and hero anthems fill air.

ISLAMABAD: Riding high on a commanding 191-run thrashing of India in the Men’s ACC U19 Asia Cup final, Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team touched down in Islamabad on Monday, greeted by an exuberant and jubilant crowd.

Arrangements were made at Islamabad airport to welcome the newly crowned champions, with fans gathering outside the terminal, dancing to drumbeats and eagerly awaiting the team’s arrival after their emphatic title win in Dubai.

Fans showered rose petals on the young heroes as they emerged from the airport, draping rose garlands around their necks and cheering loudly for the team that had made history by smashing India to smithereens and bringing home a much-needed glory.

Groups of young fans were singing patriotic songs, chanting pro-team slogans, and exuding a glee akin to that of children in carefree frolic. 

Emotions were running high, with some older fans patting the players on the back, tears of joy in their eyes, as they prayed for Pakistan’s victory in the U-19 Cricket World Cup.

Despite it being a cold December night, some very warm scenes were witnessed outside the airport, with fans waving flags, cheering loudly, and calling out the names of their favourite players. 

Children perched on their parents’ shoulders to catch a glimpse of the team, while supporters showered the heroes with rose petals and waved banners celebrating the historic win.

Pakistan sealed the U19 Asia Cup crown on Sunday after setting India a daunting 348-run target in the final at the ICC Academy. India were bowled out for 156 in 26.2 overs, undone by a relentless Pakistani bowling attack.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet the victorious squad later today, where the players who beat arch-rivals India will be formally congratulated and encouraged for their performance.

The triumph has sparked celebrations among fans, who hailed the young side for their composure, dominance and fearless display on the big stage.

The Men in Blue got off to a contrasting start to the pursuit as their batting sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, knitted a quickfire 32-run opening partnership with captain Ayush Mhatre, who could score two before falling victim to Ali Raza in the fourth over.

Mohammad Sayyam gave Pakistan another success and an over later by dismissing top-order batter Aaron George (16), who had scored a match-winning half-century against the Green Shirts in the group-stage clash last Sunday.

Meanwhile, renowned cricketers, politicians, and fans across the country also hailed Pakistan in the loudest of words for routing India by 191 runs to clinch the U19 Asia Cup title.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also joined the nation in celebrating this historic victory, praising the young players. 

He described their performance against arch-rivals India as “electrifying,” calling it a landmark moment for the future of cricket in the country.

Shortly after Pakistan sealed the title in Dubai, PM Shehbaz Sharif took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his excitement with millions of fans across the nation:

“An electrifying performance by Team Pakistan. Shahbash. Heartiest congratulations to our Under-19 team on winning the ACC U-19 Asia Cup 2025, defeating India in the final. The nation is proud of you. My deep appreciation to Chairman PCB @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts,” he wrote.