Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy has undergone a full meniscus repair and will be out for the 2024 season, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced Wednesday.
McCarthy made his season debut on Saturday but did not practice on Monday due to knee soreness. It was announced on Tuesday that he would undergo surgery, but McCarthy had hoped that a meniscus repair would be enough to allow him to play later in 2024. However, surgery on his right knee revealed that repair was necessary, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“(We) firmly believe he will come back stronger and have a long, successful NFL career,” a team official told Schefter.
Fixing up was the best long-term option for McCarthy, notes NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Minnesota selected the Michigan product 10th overall in April after losing Kirk Cousins in free agency.
Minnesota will now officially rely on quarterback Sam Darnold, who signed in the offseason and competed with McCarthy for the starting job in training camp. The 27-year-old has made 56 NFL starts but has failed to live up to expectations since the New York Jets drafted him third overall in 2018. The Vikings are his third team in as many seasons.
Darnold has thrown 63 touchdown passes against 56 interceptions in 66 NFL appearances. This season will be his first as a Week 1 starter since his 2021 season with the Carolina Panthers. His last start was with the San Francisco 49ers, who let him play while they rested their starters in the final game of the 2023 regular season.
Darnold has made waves in 2024 training, thanks in particular to his long passes to receiver Justin Jefferson. McCarthy was also impressive, recovering from an interception and throwing two touchdowns in his preseason debut.
Quarterback injuries ruined the Vikings’ 2023 season, forcing them to start four different playmakers over the course of the season. Minnesota finished the season with a record of 7-10 and missed the playoffs for the third time in four years.
Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall are also included in the Vikings’ quarterback lineup.
