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Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell leaned on his favorite golf metaphor while assessing J.J. McCarthy after Sunday’s win over the Lions, praising touch throws to Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones. With nine games ahead, Minnesota views this stretch as a vital canvas for the 22-year-old’s development after a torn meniscus last season and a high ankle sprain this fall. Coaches emphasized mechanics during his five-game absence, from footwork to posture, seeking repeatable accuracy. Early metrics show a high bad-throw rate and low on-target numbers, yet McCarthy stresses growth through reps as the staff tests his consistency each week.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.