J.J. McCarthy's return to Michigan draws FOX's top broadcast crew
J.J. McCarthy is making his return to the playing field Sunday. After missing the previous six weeks with a high ankle sprain, his much-anticipated return Sunday against the Lions has drawn FOX's No. 1 broadcast crew.
Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will be in the booth for the call with Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi as the sideline reporters for FOX on Sunday at Ford Field. It is the crew's first time calling the Vikings since the Week 17 border battle last season at U.S. Bank Stadium between Minnesota and Green Bay. Sam Darnold led Minnesota to a 27-25 win that day, while throwing for 377 yards, one touchdown, and an interception.
Michigan connection
Not only does Sunday mark McCarthy's return to action, it also marks the first time he's played in Michigan since his illustrious college career with the Wolverines came to an end with a national championship in January of 2024. McCarthy, being a former Wolverine quarterback and returning to Michigan, certainly went into play with FOX assigning fellow former Michigan QB Tom Brady to the game.
Before being forced to miss time, McCarthy led the Vikings to a 1-1 record, including a comback win over the Bears in the season opener. He had completed 58% of his passes while throwing for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Before he was selected by the Vikings with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy starred for the Michigan Wolverines, where he led the program to the 2024 national title. In three years at Michigan, McCarthy posted a 27-1 record as a starter, while throwing for 6,226 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 40 games.
What's at stake for the Vikings?
Minnesota enters the game against the Lions looking to stop a two-game losing streak and get back into the NFC playoff hunt. The Vikings are also looking to halt a five-game losing streak to the Lions, the longest such losing streak to the Lions since the first five meetings between the teams from 1961 to 1963.
With a 3-4 record, the Vikings are on the edge of the playoff hunt but also, with a loss, would be ideal seller at the trade deadline next Tuesday. Sunday's game could mean the difference between staying competitive all season long, or selling a few valuable pieces and seeing what the team has in McCarthy.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. opens up about having to replace Cam Skattebo in Giants lineup
Since this past Sunday, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and other New York Giants players have discussed how the club lost a "spark" and positive energy when first-year running back Cam Skattebo suffered a gruesome dislocation of his right ankle, a fractured fibula and a ruptured deltoid ligament.
That said, some have seemingly forgotten that a Giants side that was already without star wide receiver Malik Nabers (torn ACL and meniscus) now won't have its leading ball-carrier through Week 18. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, presumed Giants RB1 Tyrone Tracy Jr. opened up about attempting to replace Skattebo in the lineup.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. knows he can't be Cam Skattebo for Giants
"To be honest with you, I'm not going to try to be anyone else but Tyrone Tracy Jr.," he explained, per the Giants' website. "That's because that's all I can be on the football field. And I think that God has blessed me enough to go out there and just be myself."
ESPN stats show that Skattebo ended Week 8 leading the 2-6 Giants with 101 carries, 410 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. To compare, Tracy is third on the team with 159 yards and a single score that he tallied across 45 rushes. That's good for an average of 3.5 yards per carry.
As a rookie, Tracy accumulated 839 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 192 attempts. The 2024 fifth-round draft pick also contributed 38 receptions for 284 yards and a score last season. On Wednesday, Dart challenged his teammates "to pick it up" regarding the boost Skattebo had given the club this fall.
"I'm not going to try to really bring any extra energy," Tracy continued. "I'm just going to go out there and do what I can to put my team in the best situation possible. Whether it's running, catching the ball in the backfield, or blocking. Or really just being a cheerleader on the sideline when the defense is up or whatever. Whatever I've got to do to put my team in a great situation, I'm going to do that."
Have Giants lost faith after devastating injuries?
Giants fans are understandably fearing the worst regarding the rest of the campaign now that Skattebo and Nabers won't play again before September 2026 at the earliest. On Wednesday, Tracy indicated he and others in the locker room aren't giving up on this season.
"We all have the same faith," Tracy added during his comments. "...We all understand that what we've got and what we have in this locker room is all we need. We don't need anyone else to come and get us a win. We can really do it ourselves. I think we've shown that as well. We showed that we have what it takes. We just have to do it day in and day out."
Tracy will have an opportunity to impress when the Giants host the San Francisco 49ers (5-3) this coming Sunday. As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had Big Blue as a 2.5-point underdog for that matchup.
