J.J. McCarthy not at Vikings practice, but it’s for an incredible reason

Matt Sullivan

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J.J. McCarthy not at Vikings practice, but it’s for an incredible reason image

J.J. McCarthy is only a few days removed from an incredible NFL debut, as he led the Minnesota Vikings to a win over the Chicago Bears during Monday Night Football.

It was a great way to begin his NFL career, but just a few days later, things got even better for the former Michigan Wolverines quarterback. He missed Thursday afternoon's practice for an incredible reason.

According to Alec Lewis, a Vikings beat writer for The Athletic, the former Michigan quarterback is missing Vikings practice as he's at the hospital with his fiancée, Katya Kuropas,  as they are awaiting the birth of their son.

J.J. McCarthy and Katya Kuropas are having an incredible week

McCarthy wasn't at practice for the Vikings on Thursday, and instead was "at a local hospital with his fiancée as they await positive news in welcoming their new baby boy." Lewis writes. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was "pumped to share the news."

The former Michigan quarterback has been with his fiancée for five years now, and they've been together through the ups and downs of his football career.

From his 2024 National Championship with the Wolverines, to then being selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, to then suffering a season-ending injury before his 2024 season could even begin, to the long road to recovery, it's been a wild last year for McCarthy and Kuropas.

But, just in the last four days, things have been even more hectic. On Monday night, McCarthy began his NFL career poorly, struggling through the first three quarters, including throwing a pick-six.

MORE: Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood makes Wolverines history

But, in the fourth quarter, he turned things around dramatically, leading three straight touchdown drives, including two passing and one rushing (which McCarthy took himself third down), to eventually result in a comeback win over the Bears.

The NFL announced that McCarthy was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week, further making his week an incredible one. But it didn't stop getting better, as Thursday saw McCarthy head to the hospital with his fiancée as they await for the birth of their son.

It's been a wild week for the former Michigan quarterback, as McCarthy has won his first NFL game in comeback fashion, won an award for such a performance, and now, is awaiting the birth of his and his fiancée's child.

The Vikings play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football, which could further solidify this week as an incredible one for McCarthy and Kuropas. 

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Matt Sullivan

Matt Sullivan is a freelance writer for The Sporting News, predominantly covering MLB. Matt is a native of Pennsylvania and has worked with Athlon Sports, Last Word on Sports, and other outlets.