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The Minnesota Vikings are not yet committed to J.J. McCarthy as their second-string quarterback even if Sam Darnold gets the nod to start in Week 1, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported.
To secure either the first- or second-string position, McCarthy will need "to keep clearing the specific developmental benchmarks" set by head coach Kevin O'Connell, according to Graziano.
Veteran backup Nick Mullens is also a candidate to serve as the Vikings' primary backup to open the season, Graziano reported.
Whichever signal caller gets the edge in the depth chart battle could come down to the Vikings preseason, where Graziano expects McCarthy to get "extensive playing time.