shocking report: minnesota vikings player j.j.mccarthy was suspended for not showing for…………

Minnesota Vikings first-round pick J.J. McCarthy had the opportunity to showcase his championship arm this week, but it likely turned into a moment he’d rather forget.

The Michigan alum was invited to throw out the first pitch before the Minnesota Twins faced off against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night. However, his performance on the mound suggested that McCarthy’s future in MLB might not be very promising.

J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings observed the pre-game activities before the matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images)

Social media quickly circulated videos of McCarthy’s underwhelming pitch, but he wasn’t the only Vikings player who struggled on the mound.

Former Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner, Minnesota’s other first-round pick, arguably had an even tougher time with his throw.

“Didn’t have time to warm up,” Turner quipped on his Instagram Stories after posting a clip of his pitch.

This lighthearted offseason moment comes amid a busy period for the Vikings’ organization.

Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy throws out the ceremonial first pitch during a game between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field. (Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)

Fresh off a championship season with the Wolverines, McCarthy is competing with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold for the starting job after Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this year.

Last week, head coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned that Darnold would enter next month’s training camp as QB1, though he refrained from making any predictions about the regular season.

“We haven’t released an official depth chart yet, but I’d say Sam is the player I would lean towards based on the spring he’s had, where he is in his career and quarterback journey, and how he’s come in, hit the ground running, and capitalized on a competitive situation.”