MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — J.J. McCarthy had an erratic start for the Minnesota Vikings, completing 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards in a 13-3 exhibition-game loss to Baltimore on Saturday, after undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano threw a touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester for the Ravens.
McCarthy played four series with the second-team offense before yielding to 11th-year veteran Carson Wentz, leaving the picture unclear about who will be the No. 2 quarterback behind
Kyler Murray in the regular season.
The 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, who missed his rookie year while recovering from knee surgery and was limited by 10 starts last season because of multiple injuries, misfired to open receivers multiple times. After a 50-yard completion to Tai Felton midway through the first quarter, McCarthy threw too hard into the end zone twice for incompletions that forced a turnover on downs from the 1-yard line.
Tyler Loop made two field goals for the Ravens, who also rested the majority of their starting lineup after two days of joint practices with the Vikings.
The second-team offense with Tyler Huntley at quarterback continually stalled out, but Fagnano — who finished his seven-year college career at UConn — fared well with the deep reserves. Fagnano went 15 for 20 for 123 yards. Rookie tight end Josh Cuevas, a fifth-round draft pick from Alabama, caught three passes for 46 yards. Keondre Jackson, the backup strong safety beginning his second season, had seven tackles, a sack and a quarterback hit to lead Baltimore's defense.
Max Brosmer played the entire second half at quarterback for the Vikings, going 11 for 17 for 98 yards. He was intercepted by rookie free safety Silas Walters at the Baltimore 18, as the last two possessions for the Vikings ended with turnovers. Rookie linebacker Ethan Burke forced a fumble with his tackle of Jeshaun Jones after an 11-yard reception had given Minnesota a first down near midfield.
Baltimore hosts Washington on Friday on the final weekend of preseason games. Minnesota plays at Denver.
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