"The sense I get talking to people with the team is that McCarthy, with plenty of arm strength, is working on his touch. Most everything is a fastball right now. He did throw a nice fade ball that was nearly a touchdown. The Vikings have seen glimpses but are trying to sustain momentum."

The J.J. McCarthy era will begin on Saturday, as the Minnesota Vikings plan to play the quarterback against the Houston Texans in the team's preseason opener.

Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy will play in the preseason opener Saturday, though head coach Kevin O'Connell didn't say how long he would play.