EAGAN, Minn. -- J.J. McCarthy seemed to have an edge throughout his triumphant return Sunday as the Minnesota Vikings ' quarterback. On multiple occasions during the Vikings' 27-24 victory over the Detroit Lions , and in one viral moment in the postgame locker room, McCarthy's normally joyous face was scrunched into a mean mug.

Speaking on Wednesday with reporters, McCarthy acknowledged his new game-day persona. He referred to it by a name -- "Nine," a reference to his jersey number -- and said it is a product of the anger built up over missing 23 of his first 25 NFL games because of injury. McCarthy missed all of his rookie season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee and five games this season because of a high right ankle sprain.

"It really kind of started to show up this

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