Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will play in Saturday's preseason opener, head coach Kevin O'Connell said, the young passer's first on-field action since an injury ended his rookie year.

Nearly one year to the day since he suffered a torn meniscus in his Minnesota Vikings preseason debut, J.J. McCarthy will return to game action, with coach Kevin O'Connell announcing his new starting quarterback will indeed play in the team's preseason opener Saturday against the Houston Texans.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters on Monday that starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy will play in the team's preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Saturday.