The 24-year-old undrafted rookie was called upon in the second half on Sunday after McCarthy was ruled out with a hand injury. With a narrow 13-10 lead on the road, Brosmer did just enough to keep the train on the tracks and see out the win.

After Max Brosmer entered the second half of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants and led the Minnesota Vikings to a 16-13 victory, Brian O'Neill

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) outmuscles Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) while holding the line of scrimmage during the first half as the Lions face the Vikings in Week 9 on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit. (Jake May | MLive.com)

The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have gone from 29 combined wins last season to just 15 this season entering their Week 17 matchup on Christmas Day.

Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson delivers a blunt message to Max Brosmer after replacing the injured J.J. McCarthy.

Thursday’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium will be Brosmer’s second career start. The 24-year-old quarterback started for the first time in Week 13, when the Seahawks beat the Vikings 26-0. He completed 19 of 36 passes for 126 yards and threw four interceptions.

In preparation for their Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions have elevated two players from their practice squad. Just like last week, the Lions are temporarily bringing up tight end Giovanni Ricci and offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun.

The Minnesota Vikings got a mixed update with regards to the hand injury suffered by second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy last week.