Why Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy keeps his tights on after a bad practice

J.J. McCarthy eager for Vikings preseason debut

Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy is one of several players that will make their preseason debut on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Las Vegas Raiders.

EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings have their only home preseason game on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium, and it’ll be the first time for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy to play against another team in front of a live audience.

McCarthy revealed Wednesday at TCO Performance Center a ritual that he does after every bad practice he has. He keeps his tights on the remainder of the night, goes to the bathroom, takes a look in the mirror and reflects on the day before taking them off, shaking off the struggles and getting in the shower.

He says it started his freshman year at Michigan.

"It’s a little dirty, good metaphorical way for me to let it go. Once I go through that, look myself in the eye, move on, take the tights off and don’t ever think about it again," McCarthy said.

What does his fiancée think of that?

"I had a lot more gross acquired wear throughout the day in college. She never knew until now probably," McCarthy said.

It hasn’t happened much at Vikings training camp, aside from one early day in pads. McCarthy has had an impressive two weeks, throwing touchdowns in red zone situations, completing long bombs to various receivers and running the offense.

Vikings players talk preseason opener

FOX 9's Ahmad Hicks spoke with Fabian Moreau, Brandon Powell and Jalen Nailor after Vikings training camp practice on Wednesday at TCO Performance Center.

‘Most eager for a vanilla defense’

What is McCarthy most eager to see when he plays for the first time at U.S. Bank Stadium?

"Just a vanilla defense, honestly," McCarthy said. "But out of myself, just making sure all the little things we harp on, all the little details, intricacies that go into each rep show up on game day when there’s a lot of noise, there’s a crowd. Be able to do it when the time matters."

McCarthy has had his tough days in training camp going up against Brian Flores and the Vikings’ defense. He’ll face the Raiders Saturday, and nobody shows anything exotic in the preseason. So he’ll just have to go and make plays.

‘There’s always going to be sizzle’

McCarthy will put on his Vikings’ jersey, helmet and pads for the first time in a real setting on Saturday. While the results are meaningless, the moment since being drafted in April will matter.

He should get a healthy does of snaps with Sam Darnold either not playing at all, or getting very minimal time.

"No matter what, playing in U.S. Bank there’s always going to be sizzle," McCarthy said. "Just feeling the energy of this fanbase, it’s going to be a live audience and a live environment. I just can’t wait to go out there with the boys and put on display what we’ve been doing since April. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

Wednesday's practice highlights

Justin Jefferson returned after missing Tuesday due to personal reasons, and Christian Darrisaw also returned on a mostly cloudy day in Eagan with a few sprinkles. Here are a few highlights from the day:

Jefferson and Sam Darnold continue to build chemistry. Darnold hit him for a red zone touchdown in the back corner of the end zone. Jefferson and Darnold also connected on multiple passes of more than 30 yards.
In 1-on-1 drills between wide receivers and defensive backs, Thayer Thomas made a leaping one-handed catch that drew oooohs and ahhhs from the crowd. A few plays later, A.J. Green III made a leaping interception that had the entire defense on the field to celebrate.
Darnold hit Johnny Mundt for a touchdown in the red zone, with Josh Metellus in tight coverage. Metellus got an interception on Nick Mullens on a throw over the middle. Bobby McCain also got an interception on J.J. McCarthy in 7-on-7 action.

The Vikings hold their final practice open to fans Thursday. They get Friday off before Saturday's preseason game.