Vikings will start Brosmer at QB vs. Lions with hairline fracture found on McCarthy's throwing hand

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — J.J. McCarthy has a hairline fracture in his throwing hand that will keep him out of Minnesota's upcoming game against Detroit, making Max Brosmer the starting quarterback this week.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said after practice on Tuesday that further examination of McCarthy's right hand revealed the small fracture, after initial X-rays at the stadium on Sunday were negative for broken bones. McCarthy was injured late in the second quarter against the New York Giants and unable to properly grip the ball, forcing the Vikings to turn to Brosmer.

With the Vikings hosting the Lions on Thursday as part of the NFL's holiday tripleheader on Christmas, there was too little time for McCarthy to recover. O'Connell said his ability to play in the season finale against Green Bay on Jan. 3 or 4 would simply depend on his grip.

McCarthy has played in just 8½ of a possible 33 games in the NFL since he was drafted 10th overall in 2024, with a torn meniscus in his right knee keeping him out his entire rookie season, a badly sprained right ankle costing him five games this season and a concussion sidelining him for another.

Brosmer started for McCarthy that time on Nov. 30, when the Vikings lost 26-0 at NFC-leading Seattle after the undrafted rookie threw four interceptions.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes under pressure from New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (27) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) passes against the New York Giants during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Wyoming's lone U.S. representative is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Cynthia Lummis, who isn't seeking reelection.

Rep. Harriet Hageman, a Republican, on Tuesday became first to announce for Senate in Wyoming after Lummis, also a Republican, said Friday she isn't seeking a second term.

“I will always defend Wyoming’s ability to access, manage and use our natural resources to fuel our economy,” Hageman said in a statement announcing her campaign. “We must ensure that Wyoming remains a leader in energy and food production to help us maintain our way of life.”

Within hours, Hageman had the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who in a Truth Social post said she has “ALWAYS delivered for Wyoming, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate.”

A Cheyenne attorney who represents ranchers, Hageman is best known for beating Republican Rep. Liz Cheney by a wide margin in 2022.

Cheney, a daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, lost support in Wyoming for opposing Trump and for leading an investigation into his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Hageman defeated Cheney by a more than 2-to-1 margin in the 2022 Republican primary.

Hageman went on to win the general election in heavily Republican Wyoming by an even wider margin in 2022 and was reelected with over 70% of the vote in 2024.

Lummis has been a U.S. senator since 2021 and is nearing the half-century mark in a political career that has included time in the state Legislature, two terms as state treasurer, and four terms as U.S. representative.

Lummis said her stamina didn't “match up” with the energy required for another term.

Wyoming hasn’t had a Democratic U.S. senator or representative since the late 1970s.

FILE - Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., arrives for an interview at the Capitol in Washington, Aug. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)