How injury setbacks fueled J.J. McCarthy’s edgy alter ego in Vikings return
NY Post
He might have been wearing a No. 9 Vikings jersey, but J.J. McCarthy was not the real author behind last Sunday’s thrilling 27-24 victory over the Lions.
The real mastermind, according to the 22-year-old quarterback, is his edgy alter ego, Nine, who scored three touchdowns in his NFL return after missing five straight games this season due to a high ankle sprain.
“It really kind of started to show up this year, and it came about last year during IR,” said McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus.
“Just never had a full season, where you want to be out there so freaking bad, but you can’t. It was just this built-up anger that was kind of ready to just explode, and I chose to harness it instead of letting it go into a self-destructive kind of way.”
The Vikings’ 10th overall pick in last year’s draft, McCarthy watched from the sideline in 2024 as veteran journeyman Sam Darnold revived his career with a 14-3 campaign.
When Darnold joined the Seahawks in free agency on a $100.5 million deal, it was McCarthy’s turn to take the reins.
Suddenly, someone had hit a rewind button and everyone had been transported back seven months. It was early spring instead of late fall, it was broiling hot outside the arena walls and not freezing cold. Everyone was back at TD Garden. There were 19,156 frenzied fans on their feet begging for blood, poised for the kill.
After leaving practice early on Monday to be evaluated for a lower-body injury, Adam Edstrom did not suit up Tuesday night against the Stars.
It’s not you, it’s me.
Not everyone wants to wake up in the city that never sleeps.
BOSTON — Despite no traction on a contract extension, Karl-Anthony Towns said his relationship with the Knicks front office remains strong and he hopes to continue his career with the team.
The Jets won a game on Sunday, an entertaining 27-24 victory over the Falcons on a 56-yard walk-off field goal by 41-year-old kicker Nick Folk.
Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss said he was just doing his job after a hard hit on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sparked tension in Monday’s game at Gillette Stadium.
Dillon Brooks found himself in a familiar place Monday night — right underneath LeBron James’ skin.
Alexey Toropchenko is the latest hockey player to miss time because of a bizarre off-ice injury, after the St. Louis Blues said he is considered week to week after sustaining burns to his legs as part of a home accident. No other details were provided.
For a rebuilding Nets team, this season isn’t just about tanking for tomorrow’s lottery pick, but also developing the young players they have today.
After losing one of the top power-play defensemen in the NHL for at least the next several weeks, the Rangers are going to try something unconventional to spark their inconsistent season.
The Mets agreed to terms with Devin Williams, which means they now have exactly one viable right-handed reliever on their roster.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A defiant and exasperated Jaxson Dart, literally knocked into orbit by a hit he did not need to take, vowed that he will not change the way he plays.