The Vikings are all set to kick off their three-game preseason slate against the Texans at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday afternoon (NFL Network, FOX 9). If you want a chance to catch J.J. McCarthy and some other Minnesota starters in action before the real thing begins on September 8, this is almost certainly the only chance to do it.

Now, those fans have their answer. Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings' head coach, has announced that McCarthy will indeed play on Saturday. However, he did not reveal how much the first-year starter will play.

J.J. McCarthy, last year’s 10th overall pick out of Michigan, has not played in a game since he suffered a knee injury in the 2024 preseason opener.