EAGAN, Minn. — The wait that lasted almost a complete trip around the sun is nearly over.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will suit up and play in Minnesota's 2025 preseason opener against the Houston Texans. Kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m. (CT) Saturday, Aug. 9. (click here for how to watch, listen to or stream).

The game falls one day shy of McCarthy making his NFL debut by completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, highlighted by touchdowns of 45 yards and 33 to turn a 20-7 halftime deficit into a 21-20 lead in the third quarter. McCarthy also ran two times for 18 yards in the contest against the Raiders.

Excitement was high, even with McCarthy competing against Sam Darnold. A problem, however, surfaced two days later after McCarthy experienced swelling in his knee and was diagnosed with a torn meniscus that required season-ending surgery.

It was a long return road, but he stayed focused and upbeat. Growing in his knowledge of Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's system, soaking up the learning opportunities and attacking the rehab.

"I will take a moment [to appreciate being back in action]," McCarthy said Wednesday. "And I'll take this moment to thank the athletic training staff, thank my coaches, thank all my teammates. Everyone throughout that journey has just been amazing, and I think it did a lot more good for me than bad, and just being out there again is going to be really special, and I can't wait to go do it."

McCarthy said he'll emphasize making the right decisions with the football and "being able to function as one unit, one heartbeat and be all on the same page to execute and follow our football philosophy and have it come to life" during his time on the field.

McCarthy and the offense have been battle-tested by a fast and feisty defense that has a particular ability to obfuscate with versatility and scheme.

Since teams don't usually operate with a full game plan in preseason games, Saturday might provide a little bit of respite for McCarthy, who did emphasize the respect he has for the Texans defense.

There are also elements he hasn't had to work through, like being tackled at a practice, that he'll appreciate as additional growth opportunities.

"Feeling the rush and feeling a couple hits and bouncing back and having to make those smart decisions after those hits," McCarthy said. "I just feel like the crowd noise, even though it's at home, it's still loud in there, all the different little things that you have to kind of adapt to as an offense. It's our first little test run, so we're extremely excited for it."

View the 2025 Vikings Schedule.

Check out the 2025 International games.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.