Photo: The Canadian Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rookie J.J. McCarthy rebounded from an ill-advised throw intercepted by Las Vegas starting cornerback Jack Jones with two touchdown passes against backups, a mixed but promising preseason debut for the Minnesota Vikings’future franchise quarterback in a 24-23 victory over the Raiders on Saturday.
Rookie Will Reichard kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired to stop Minnesota's 10-game preseason losing streak. The Vikings last won an exhibition on Aug. 24, 2019, at home against Arizona.
“Things are going to go bad, and it’s your ability to respond and navigate those waters when it does happen, just being able to have that goldfish memory to just go back out there and have that sling-it mentality,” McCarthy said.
Gardner Minshew, in a too-close-to-call competition with Aidan O'Connell for the starting quarterback job for the Raiders, was 6 for 12 for 117 yards and a second-quarter touchdown to D.J. Turner.
The Vikings have given newcomer Sam Darnold the majority of the turns with the first team in practice and are trending toward starting the season with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, but he's just keeping the throne warm for McCarthy.
After Darnold went 4 for 8 for 59 yards on the opening drive that stalled at the 4-yard line with consecutive end-zone incompletions, McCarthy entered the game to an eager roar from the crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium. In six possessions, the 10th overall pick in the draft from national champion Michigan went 11 for 17 for 188 yards.
Under pressure and out of the pocket, McCarthy forced a back-foot throw on third-and-8 for Trishton Jackson that Jones easily jumped in front of. From there, though, the rookie played beyond his 21 years.
“He looked outstanding. Even with the early interception, I know he felt bad about it, but he turned around and showed it. Great leadership. Getting us in and out of the huddle quick, fast,” Jackson said. “He’s poised. He’s legit.”
McCarthy hit Jackson, who had 100 yards on four catches, in stride for a 45-yard score and connected with Trent Sherfield Sr. for a 33-yard touchdown. Kene Nwangu also rushed for a 48-yard score while McCarthy was in the game. He played with enthusiasm, hardly missing a chance to slap hands and share hugs with teammates.
“Clearly, everybody can see the arm talent," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said. "I just love seeing him come right back after the interception, still be aggressive and still stay true to footwork, timing, rhythm, where his eyes should be.”
Las Vegas' Daniel Carlson made all three of his field goal tries, including a 56-yarder, against the team that drafted him in 2018. Minnesota's latest attempt at stabilizing the kicker position, the sixth-round pick Reichard, had his first field goal try blocked when the Raiders bowled over rookie Michael Jurgens and David Agoha got his outstretched hand on the ball.
Zamir White, the new featured ball carrier with the departure of 2022 All-Pro Josh Jacobs, had a touchdown run for Las Vegas. O'Connell took 15 snaps, all on the first possession, the last of which was a 10-yard sack by Vikings first-round draft pick Dallas Turner. He went 7 for 9 for 76 yards.
Raiders first-round draft pick Brock Bowers had two catches for 25 yards and even lined up at fullback in some experimental formations with fellow tight end Michael Mayer.
“I think they’re going to keep growing. You’ve got two young players, a rookie and a second-year player. I’m not going to put any expectations or limits on them. I just think as our offense goes, so do our tight ends,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said.
Both teams gave most of their projected starters at least one series, with the Vikings playing it safe by holding out a handful of irreplaceable veterans: wide receiver Justin Jefferson, safety Harrison Smith, running back Aaron Jones and outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard. The Raiders were without wide receiver Davante Adams, who recently left the team for the birth of his third child.
Among the key players who've been sidelined or limited by injuries in training camp and did not participate: left tackle Kolton Miller (shoulder) and left guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (shoulder) for the Raiders; and tight ends T.J. Hockenson (knee) and Robert Tonyan (back), cornerback Shaq Griffin (hamstring) and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) for the Vikings.
Kolston Jackson, the younger brother of late cornerback Khyree Jackson, joined Vikings captains for the pregame coin flip. Their parents, Raymond and Ebbony Jackson, were also in attendance as the team honored their son, the fourth-round draft pick who died with two close friends last month in a car crash.
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