MINNEAPOLIS — J.J. McCarthy knew his return to preseason action for the first time in nearly a year was going to be limited, but he extended Minnesota's first possession of 2025 once with his arm and once with his legs.

The 2024 first-round pick converted third-and-4 with a 10-yard completion to Jordan Addison for a fresh set of downs at the Minnesota 28.

After a 5-yard run by newly acquired running back Jordan Mason, who started instead of Aaron Jones, Sr., McCarthy nicely placed a throw to Addison where only he could get it. In addition to gaining 18, the play showed arm strength and accuracy in moving the ball past midfield.

Mason followed with a gain of 9 on his next rush.

Unfortunately, McCarthy's next pass — to C.J. Ham — lost 3 via a nice play by the Texans.

After a third-and-4 was unsuccessful, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell opted to go for it on fourth.

Houston Head Coach DeMeco Ryans sent linebacker Jake Hansen on a blitz, which McCarthy deftly avoid and zipped to the right side for a gain of 8 on his lone carry.

A receiver screen on the following snap at the Houston 35 was batted down near the line of scrimmage by defensive end Casey Toohill. Mason gained another 5 on his final carry of the day but couldn't haul in a pass on third-and-5.

O'Connell opted for a 48-yard field goal by Will Reichard to cap the first possession, which lasted 13 plays (including the kick), traversed 58 yards to overcome a penalty on the opening kickoff and lasted 6:03.

McCarthy's first drive since Aug. 10, 2024, when he suffered a season-ending torn meniscus ended with points and some positives heading into a week with two joint practices against the Patriots.

"I love the fact that we're able to execute, hit an explosive in the play-pass game," Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said. "I love the fact that we converted some third downs. I love the fact that on the fourth down, he used his legs for that to steal one in a game. And I think there's just a level of composure and poise to how he ran the show that was exactly what I was looking for."

Veteran Sam Howell, who was acquired in a day-three draft trade with Seattle, relieved McCarthy and completed 11 of 13 passes for 105 yards and a passer rating of 100.3. He also scored on a QB sneak with 3:18 remaining in the first half.

Brett Rypien, who was on Minnesota's practice squad in 2024, played the third quarter and went 1-for-4 for 6 yards, but his stat line would have been different had Jeshaun Jones been able to hang on to a deep pass.

Max Brosmer, the undrafted rookie from the Gophers, played the fourth quarter and went 5-for-8 passing with 47 yards and a short touchdown pass for a rating of 118.2.

The Vikings topped the Texans 20-10 to open the 2025 preseason.

Here are four more observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:

1. Murphy in the mix

Before the game, the Vikings announced 13 players who were not expected to play. The list included Pro Bowl outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.

Minnesota started 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner and his classmate Gabriel Murphy on the edge. Murphy went undrafted and was starting to make an impression at camp last year but dealt with an injury. He and Turner have had strong showings in training camp this year.

Turner only played during the Vikings opening series, but Murphy stayed in for longer and wound up recording Minnesota's first sack of the preseason.

His takedown of Kedon Slovis on third-and-2 forced a punt with 10:30 remaining in the second quarter.

Murphy later split a sack with fellow undrafted 2024 addition Bo Richter for a loss of 13 just before halftime. The plays protected a 13-7 edge.

"Gabe has been a guy who has shown up daily at camp," O'Connell said. "I've highlighted it in front of teams. He's feels like a man on a mission right now in a lot of ways. And I'm just proud of him, proud of where he's at in camp right now, and now he's just kind of set his sights on continuing to compete. I've mentioned it to you guys how competitive that outside linebacker room is, and it's because we're so good at the top with really three starters and JG, Gink' and Dallas, and then we feel really, really good about Bo and Gabe and the two young guys (rookies Chaz Chambliss and Tyler Batty)."

Murphy said he applied the time he was sidelined last year to learn from Greenard and Van Ginkel. After making multiple plays to get into the backfield but pull up without hitting Vikings quarterbacks, Murphy found it rewarding to get to a game day and finish the play, as evidenced by his five QB hits.

"Something I worked on all offseason is finishing at the quarterback," Murphy said. "I had some plays where I'm there, but you can't really finish the quarterback in practice because they've got the red jersey on. So I'm just thankful to be out there."

2. Rookie roundup

Among Vikings draft picks, Donovan Jackson started at left guard between newcomers Justin Skule at left tackle (in place of Christian Darrisaw) and center Ryan Kelly. Fellow free agent addition Will Fries opened at right guard, and Brian O'Neill manned right tackle for the first series of the game.

Jackson's parents, who had toured U.S. Bank Stadium on the day after his selection at No. 24, made the trip to see their son make his NFL debut against his hometown team.

"That's a team I grew up going to their stadium, going to their games," Jackson said. "I have a lot of friends on that team, so it was obviously a fun experience, but I wear the Purple and Gold."

Third-round pick Tai Felton caught two passes for 14 yards and became the first Viking to touch the ball this preseason when he handled the opening kickoff. Felton totaled 36 yards on two kickoff returns with a long of 24.

Undrafted rookie Silas Bolden returned one punt a total of 8 yards and opted for a fair catch on another punt.

Australian punter Oscar Chapman, who is in the International Player Pathway program, booted his lone attempt 52 yards, and the flight of the ball proved difficult to field for Jawhar Jordan. Felton hustled as a gunner and forced a fumble in making the tackle, but it was recovered by Houston's Tremon Smith.

Myles Price caught a 3-yard touchdown from Brosmer in the fourth quarter one play after what was initially ruled a touchdown to Dontae Fleming was taken off the board. Price also added a 15-yard reception.

3. Trio of INTs

The 2024 Vikings led the NFL with 24 interceptions and tied for the league best with 33 takeaways.

A couple of newcomers picked up where last year's squad left off.

Ambry Thomas was the first to intercept Graham Mertz, and Kahlef Hailassie had so much fun with his first pick of Mertz he added another.

Hailassie, who signed with the Vikings as a cornerback, has been lining up at safety for about a week and made the plays from the back end of the defense.

"We're always trying to find those versatile skill sets, and sometimes it goes the other way, right? Sometimes it's how you use Harry (Harrison Smith) and Josh Metellus, and sometimes it's how you use those guys up front — edge guys that can kick inside or kick off the ball or drop in coverage," O'Connell said when asked about taking a look at Hailassie at safety. "It really just jumped out to us with, really, as we've had, whether it's Josh is working through what he's working through with his foot, or whatever it was, it just seemed like some snaps were there."

"He's got corner coverage skills and a physicality and ball skills that seem to fit with how we play football here," O'Connell added. "Not surprised that he was around the football and made some plays. We talk a lot about tips and overthrows with what our defense can do, and that showed up tonight. I was really proud of him."

4. A difficult scene

Receiver/return specialist Rondale Moore had worked his way back from missing all of 2024 with the Falcons due to a season-ending injury suffered in a joint practice.

Moore lined up to handle Minnesota's first punt and showed speed in trying to get to the outside, but he was tackled on the right sideline and suffered an injury that required multiple minutes of treatment from personnel.

About a dozen teammates, including Justin Jefferson and McCarthy, slowly walked over to encourage Moore as he was helped onto a cart.

O'Connell said Moore will have an MRI on Sunday, but the team believes it to be a "pretty significant" left knee injury.

Vikings undrafted rookie center Zeke Correll also left the game on a cart in the fourth quarter.

O'Connell said Correll underwent an X-ray that confirmed he suffered a right ankle fracture.

"Anytime you lose guys to some significant injuries, absolutely hate, hate, hate seeing it," O'Connell said.

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