Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 NFL season after undergoing a full meniscus repair, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed on Wednesday.
McCarthy, who made his preseason debut on Saturday, experienced knee soreness and did not participate in Monday’s practice. On Tuesday, it was announced that McCarthy would need surgery, with initial hopes that a less invasive meniscus trim would suffice. However, after a procedure on his right knee, it was determined that a full repair was necessary, according to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“We strongly believe he will come back better and have a long, successful NFL career,” a team official told Schefter.
McCarthy, drafted 10th overall by Minnesota in April, is the first Round 1 quarterback of the common draft era to miss his entire rookie season due to injury, as reported by Doug Clawson of CBS Sports. The Vikings had selected McCarthy out of Michigan after losing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to free agency.
The decision to opt for a full repair was deemed the best long-term solution for McCarthy’s career, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
With McCarthy sidelined, the Vikings will now rely on quarterback Sam Darnold, who joined the team during the offseason and was in competition with McCarthy for the starting position. Darnold, 27, was initially drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018 and has started 56 NFL games. However, his career has been inconsistent, with 63 touchdown passes and 56 interceptions over 66 career appearances. Minnesota marks his third team in as many seasons.
Darnold’s last start came with the San Francisco 49ers in the final game of the 2023 regular season, where he played while the team’s regular starters were rested. This year, Darnold has drawn attention during practice with his long passes to wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
McCarthy had also shown promise before his injury, rebounding from an interception in his preseason debut to throw for two touchdowns.
The Vikings’ 2023 season was marred by quarterback injuries, resulting in four different quarterbacks starting throughout the campaign. Minnesota finished the season with a 7-10 record, missing the playoffs for the third time in four years.
In addition to Darnold, the Vikings’ quarterback depth chart includes Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall.
