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J.J. McCarthy’s ankle, Max Brosmer’s tape, and Friday’s roster auditions in Denver dominate The Real Forno Show as Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano preview Minnesota’s last exhibition.

Tyler opened with the only question that still moves the building: will McCarthy play Friday at 8 p.m. CT against the Broncos? He missed Wednesday so the deltoid ankle sprain could settle. Forness’s read is blunt. “If he does play, and especially coming off of an injury like this, I think it’s another stronger signal that he’s done in Minnesota.” He still expects McCarthy gone by Sunday’s 3 p.m. cut deadline — trade or waiver — and listed Jets, Dolphins, Chargers (Jim Harbaugh), Cowboys, and Cardinals as the shops worth watching, while parking rumor-mill “he wants out” items until Rapoport, Schefter, or Pelissero confirm them.

The blame pie is split on purpose. “I think you’re going to have to put blame on both the coaching staff, Kevin O’Connell included, and J.J. McCarthy.” Forness will not settle that argument until McCarthy’s next stop plays out: Darnold renaissance or flameout. Dave asked who Friday is supposed to impress. Tyler’s answer: not the fans first. “I think McCarthy really needs to prove to himself that he can be that guy again… he’s lost that confidence.” The Raiders tape from two years ago is the standard. The meniscus, the slump, and too many voices in his ear (O’Connell, the QB coach, Wes Phillips) are the wreckage. Grant Udinski’s exit is “worth considering at a high level,” Forness said — “I am also not willing to sit here confidently and say that it’s everything.”

Brosmer is the other face on the thumbnail. Last year’s UDFA earned QB3 over Brett Rypien, then got thrown into real games he “shouldn’t have had to play.” Friday he may see almost the whole night. Tyler wants last year’s preseason version: anticipation, middle-of-the-field answers, no telegraphed picks. “The only way he’s on the roster is if J.J. McCarthy’s gone.” If McCarthy stays, Brosmer is fighting for a practice-squad tape dump.

What they’re watching Friday:

• J.J. McCarthy’s future: Rumblings from insiders suggest McCarthy wants out and teams have called about a trade. Forness expects resolution by Sunday.
• Max Brosmer’s opportunity: The undrafted QB may play nearly the entire game. “I wanna see the Max Brosmer of last preseason and I wanna see it take a little bit of a step forward,” Forness said.
• RB3 battle — Demond Claiborne vs. Zavier Scott: Claiborne needs to prove his speed translates: “Speed only matters if you can use it in a football context.” Scott must show he can block and contribute on special teams.
• WR6 — Dillon Bell vs. Dontae Fleming: With Jeshaun Jones suspended three games (DUI arrest, per Ben Goessling’s reporting), the sixth receiver spot is open. “Bell had a lot of hype coming into training camp and he’s kinda fallen flat,” while Fleming has been “inconsistent, but solid.”
• Tight end — Gavin Bartholomew vs. Ben Yurosek: The long-term TE1 conversation is live. “Who do they think can maybe develop into your tight end one next year?”
• Offensive line depth concerns: Beyond the top six, Forness was blunt: “After that, Dave, it’s kind of stinky.”
• EDGE/DL: Edge 3 is the hole. Chaz Chambliss (now No. 40 so he can play fullback without reporting) has ST value. Elijah Williams is ahead of Isaiahh Loudermilk. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins profiles as a 5-tech
• Linebacker shakeup: Ivan Pace Jr. could be expendable. “If you get enough from both [Jacob]Roberts and Bangally Kamara to where, hey, Ivan Pace expendable, you’re gonna save almost $2.7 million.”
• Jakobe Thomas (drafted safety) vs. Jacob Thomas (UDFA safety): “Jacob Thomas has outshined everybody in that secondary, but it’s also UDFA in the preseason. I wanna see the third-round pick play.”
• CBs: Charles Demmings and Da’Veawn Armstead for CB4/5; Zemaiah Vaughn is the sneak.
• Jake Golday’s role: Forness envisions a Dallas Turner-like development path — sub-packages only, not a full snap load yet.
• Punter battle: Johnny Hekker vs. Brett Thorson — watch hang time, direction, and ball placement.

Listen:

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Watch:

“Everybody is expendable. Everybody,” Forness said. That is the whole finale. Live Two-Minute Warning lands around 10:45 p.m. CT Friday; Two Old Bloggers takes the 3 p.m. Sunday cutdown.

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Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow found at the @BleavNetwork.

What do you think?

Watch the full Real Forno Show from Vikings 1st & SKOL and Bleav, then tell us: if McCarthy takes the first snap in Denver, is that development — or a goodbye tape?

Does J.J. McCarthy playing Friday mean the Vikings are already done with him? Do you think McCarthy has played his last snap in purple?