Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is not participating in the Vikings’ Monday night practice.

Coach Kevin O’Connell said McCarthy reported right knee soreness to the team’s medical staff.

Related players: Sam Darnold

McCarthy played 30 snaps in the preseason opener and went 11-of-17 for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He was scheduled to receive more snaps with the first-team offense this week, O’Connell said in the story. The team said they sat him out of precaution and also wanted to run more tests.

As the third week of camp nears an end, Sam Darnold has received all but two of the first-team reps in 11-on-11 drills. J.J. McCarthy got the other two. This should be no surprise to anyone who has listened to coach Kevin O'Connell talk about the position. While McCarthy is clearly the club's future quarterback, team leaders are in agreement that his ascension will not be rushed.

Any doubts that Darnold will start the season as QB1 seem to be out the window at this point. The Vikings do have a tough opening schedule, with the 49ers, Texans, Packers, and re-vamped Jets coming before their Week 6 Bye. McCarthy could be a play by the second half of the season, so we'll see how he looks for streaming purposes if/when that time comes.

QB Sam Darnold will take the majority of first-team snaps when camp opens, Kevin O'Connell reiterated.

Related players: J.J. McCarthy

Darnold was expected to be the bridge quarterback when the team signed him and also drafted McCarthy in the first round. McCarthy should also see first-team reps, but it seems like the Vikings are sticking with Darnold as the QB1 plan, at least early on in the season.

Sam Darnold will continue as the Minnesota Vikings' lead quarterback when training camp opens next month, coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its final OTA of the spring.

O'Connell stopped short of projecting anything beyond that, saying he plans for a "competitive" training camp at many positions. The Vikings have three other quarterbacks on their roster: Rookie J.J. McCarthy and veterans Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall.

Even if Darnold begins Week 1 as the starting quarterback, we shouldn't assume that continues deep into the season. McCarthy can still be targeted (very) late in best ball drafts, while neither option should be in consideration for typical 1QB redraft leagues.

Brock Purdy aggravated the stinger injury he initially suffered against the Cardinals in Week 15. But Purdy said after the game that he’s expecting to be fine for the Week 17 game against Washington and head coach Kyle Shanahan reiterated the same on Tuesday.

“Just watching him, how he was that week [after the Cardinals game], and then just being able to hear how he was today and talk to him last night after the game, I think he’s going to be fine,” Shanahan said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “I don’t think it’s going to bother him too [much].

Related players: Sam Darnold

Purdy completed 18-of-32 passes for 255 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions, working out to a career-worst 42.6 passer rating. In his most extended playing time of the season, Darnold finished the game 8-of-14 for 81 yards with a touchdown and a pick, the story said. The Niners travel to Washington in Week 17.

According to ESPN's Lisa Salters, Brock Purdy has a shoulder stinger and was cleared to return with the 49ers trailing 33-19. The injury against Baltimore is an aggravation of a stinger he suffered in San Francisco's Week 15 win over Arizona.

Related players: Sam Darnold

Darnold took over in the game, but it sounds like entering the game was more about Purdy's performance. One would assume Purdy will get the call in Week 17 as long as he's healthy. The Niners travel to take on the Commanders and it seems like it could be a "get-right" game for Purdy and the 49ers, but be sure to follow the injury reports this week.

49ers QB Brock Purdy (concussion) is present and participating during early open portion of practice.

Related Players: Sam Darnold

Purdy is for sure not still in the clear to start in Week 8, but a Thursday practice swings the probability positively. Players in the confusion protocol have been historically unlikely to play the following week, but it's still in the cards. Friday's practice should give us more insight.

Potentially significant: 49ers QB Brock Purdy is in the NFL's concussion protocol, coach Kyle Shanahan tells reporters.

Related Players: Sam Darnold, Brandon Allen

Shanahan has repeatedly gotten the most out of his quarterbacks, making just about anyone that starts a full game at least worth considering. In deep leagues —particularly Superflex Dynasty leagues— it's worth checking if Darnold is sitting on your waiver wires.

Trade: The 49ers are sending their former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a mid-round. Lance now gets a fresh start in Dallas.

Related Players: Sam Darnold, Cooper Rush, Will Grier

All things considered, this feels like a great deal for all teams involved. Regardless of what we think about the 49ers sacrificing so many picks to grab Lance in the first place, it didn't make any sense for them to keep him, as he has apparently become a third-stringer. The Cowboys had to give away only a fourth-round pick for what could be an exciting backup option, and Trey Lance gets a new start after what presumably has been a rough first couple of years in the league.

In fantasy terms, Lance at least becomes a hold in deep 2QB dynasty leagues.

The San Francisco 49ers have named their backup to starting quarterback Brock Purdy -- and it's not the player they once paid a fortune to trade up for. Sam Darnold will be named the 49ers' QB2 following a strong showing this offseason, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday. That means that Trey Lance is currently running third on the depth chart -- and what it means for his future with the team remains to be seen.

No potential teams have been named yet, but there were rumors that the team was involved in trade discussions before the NFL Draft. The 49ers could obviously just keep Lance, but if they can receive any draft compensation for their third-string quarterback, it's a no-brainer, regardless of what draft capital they once spent on him.