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Kevin O'Connell announces J.J. McCarthy will miss practice, expecting the birth of his son

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones14 hours agobrianjones_93
JJ McCarthy (2)
Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) practices before the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that quarterback JJ McCarthy would not be at practice on Thursday because of the birth of his son. Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN, McCarthy and his fiancée are at a local hospital preparing to welcome a baby boy. O’Connell said that McCarthy was in the building on Thursday morning, but he would not be a practice.

JJ McCarthy got engaged to Katya Kuropas in January 2024. In May, the couple went to Instagram to announce they are welcoming a baby boy in September. “The best surprises come when you least expect them,” McCarthy and Kuropas wrote in the post. “Our sweet baby boy is arriving in September and we couldn’t be happier.”

McCarthy’s big addition to his family comes after he made his NFL debut on Monday night. After getting off to a slow start, the former Michigan Wolverines star threw two touchdown passes and ran for one in the fourth quarter to lead the Vikings over the Chicago Bears 27-24.

JJ McCarthy made history in his NFL debut

“Obviously, converting third downs early on was an issue to be able to get drives going. But J.J. McCarthy, for him to make some of the plays he did — I told him at halftime, ‘You are going to bring us back to win this game,’ and the look in his eye was fantastic,” Kevin O’Connell detailed after the game, per the Vikings’ official website. “And the best thing is just the belief I felt from the team, the unit, and ultimately, that doesn’t get done without him.”

McCarthy became the first quarterback to guide a comeback from 10-plus points in the fourth quarter in his NFL debut since Steve Young in 1985. His work on Monday night led to the NFL naming him NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

The Vikings selected McCarthy in the first round (10th overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old did not see any action during his rookie season because he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the preseason.

McCarthy joined Minnesota after having a successful career at Michigan. In 2023, McCarthy was named Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and led the Wolverines to a national championship.