JJ McCarthy landed in the concussion protocol Monday after Minnesota’s brutal 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers. His status for Week 13 is uncertain now after getting hit by the Packers’ Bolster defense led by Micha Parson.
But social media detectives are not concerned about his health status, who believe they caught McCarthy using smelling salts immediately after taking a crushing hit.
Footage Shows JJ McCarthy Smelling Salt After Taking a Hard Hit
The second-year quarterback completed 12 of 19 passes for 87 yards with two interceptions against the Packers and took five sacks. Footage has surfaced showing McCarthy allegedly using ammonia capsules on the sideline after facing heavy pressure from Green Bay’s defense.
Then, social media detectives combed through broadcast angles and sideline footage after McCarthy entered the protocol and found more. They pinpointed what appears to be the exact moment McCarthy suffered his bell-ringer. Video shows him flat on his back after linebacker Isaiah McDuffie brought him down hard.
Here’s the play that the concussion happened for anyone wondering.
This is why the NFL tried to ban smelling salts btw, pretty clearly what he does at the end of the clip. https://t.co/tV6AU4ZuS4 pic.twitter.com/BUKo4xvHLD
— cdott (@jjmccaurathy) November 24, 2025
Two teammates helped McCarthy to his feet. He jogged back to the huddle without visiting the medical tent. But eagle-eyed fans claim he grabbed smelling salts moments later.
The timing raised immediate red flags. Smelling salts can mask concussion symptoms by artificially boosting alertness, potentially hiding confusion, headache and dizziness. That’s exactly why the NFL restricted team distribution of ammonia inhalers back in August and currently, many players do the same.
The wild reveal has opened the door for fans to share their own opinion about the smelling salt. However, their reactions seem extremely mixed.
Fans Split Over JJ McCarthy Caught Smelling ‘Banned’ Substance
Many on the internet reacted to McCarthy’s alleged use of the controversial substance.
One fan wrote. “Lawyers and soccer moms ruined the NFL.”
Another added, “I was surprised they didn’t mandate a check in real time, you could tell he was fazed.”
A third noted, “He’s always sniffing those things dude. All the damn time! My uncle pointed it out to me and now it’s all I see. It’s f—— weird to be doing it that much.”
But not everyone bought the narrative that McCarthy violated league rules.
One fan claimed, “He grabs nothing. That was a snot rocket.”
Another defending him, penning, “They banned TEAMS from supplying the salts. They didn’t ban salts.”
That’s technically accurate. The NFL prohibited teams from providing ammonia in any form but didn’t ban players from bringing their own supply. The NFLPA clarified that distinction after initial confusion over the policy change.
George Kittle is known for keeping his own supply of ammonia capsules since the league stopped distributing them, using one before every offensive play. But using them after a possible head hit raises serious safety concerns.
The controversy has already created endless debate about safety versus the traditional football culture. Many fans long for the days when quarterbacks played through pain without constant medical scrutiny.
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