The Detroit Lions are fighting for their playoff lives in Week 17 and must defeat the Minnesota Vikings.
It's very simple for the Lions: if they lose to the Vikings on Thursday afternoon, they will be eliminated from playoff contention.
However, the Lions also need some help in the form of the Green Bay Packers losing to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. If Green Bay wins, Detroit is out.
Ahead of the Lions' contest against the Vikings, things are not looking good for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who did not practice on Monday due to a hand injury that knocked him out of the Week 16 game against the New York Giants early.
While his status has not been confirmed yet, ESPN's Kevin Seifert notes that it's going to be hard for McCarthy to play this week with the quick turnaround.
McCarthy will only have a few days to get right before the showdown with Detroit, which is why the ESPN reporter is pessimistic about his chances of suiting up.
"We'll get some official clarity on J.J. McCarthy (hand) but I would be very surprised if he plays this week on such a short turnaround to Thursday afternoon's game," Seifert wrote on Tuesday.
The good news for McCarthy is that X-rays on his hand came back negative, but head coach Kevin O'Connell didn't sound too optimistic about his quarterback following the win over the Giants.
"It's a bummer just because I'm having a blast coaching him and seeing the growth of a young player getting the opportunity to actually go out there and grow and develop," O'Connell said. So, you'd love to have him. Love to have him for two straight home games to finish [the season] and we'll see where his hand's at, and if he has the ability to play for us again. I sure hope so."
If McCarthy can't go, it only increases the Lions' chances of winning, as Minnesota will be forced to turn to rookie Max Brosmer, who is a downgrade from McCarthy.
Brosmer has made one start this season, which came in Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks. He completed 19-of-30 passes for just 126 yards and tossed four interceptions.
The next update on McCarthy will come on Tuesday, and it's very possible we'll have confirmation on his status by Wednesday.
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