“I know they would do the same thing for me,” McCarthy said Wednesday. “Just as a QB and a former hockey player — I used to be the enforcer out there, believe it or not — I love that stuff, letting my teammates know I got their back. ‘Cause I know they’ve got mine.”
McCarthy has also been flashing his running ability — which he said he wished he could keep “on the low” — extending plays on scrambles. On Wednesday, he chased down Blake Cashman after being intercepted by the linebacker while targeting Jordan Addison on a late read over the middle of the field.
Veteran right tackle Brian O’Neill said McCarthy got on the offensive line in a huddle Wednesday, too, for some procedural issues during team drills. The Vikings have received a few false-start flags as backup center Michael Jurgens has taken additional reps the past two practices.
The show of leadership was one O’Neill said made him happy, and points again to McCarthy’s passion as game reps grow nearer.
It also aligned with what McCarthy said was his priority for his time on the field Saturday: Making sure the starting offense, or as close to it as the Vikings will get in the preseason, functions as a cohesive unit with “one heartbeat.”
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell salutes tight end T.J. Hockenson at the start of practice Wednesday. (Jerry Holt/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Tight end T.J. Hockenson was back practicing Wednesday after missing Monday night’s practice with a lower-body injury.
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