Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will undergo surgery after sustaining a torn right meniscus, the team announced on Tuesday.
The No. 10 overall pick is out indefinitely, with the extent of his surgery determining the length of his recovery, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes that a meniscus trim typically requires a recovery period of four to six weeks.
McCarthy, who played in Saturday’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, did not participate in Monday’s practice due to knee soreness. He reportedly underwent an MRI on Monday night. McCarthy has since reacted to his injury on social media.
In his preseason debut, McCarthy threw an interception on his first drive but later recovered with two touchdowns. The 21-year-old, who led Michigan to a national title last season, was the fifth quarterback selected in the April draft, which saw a record six QBs chosen in the first round.
The Vikings, having added Sam Darnold in the offseason after losing Kirk Cousins to free agency, had Darnold starting training camp ahead of McCarthy. However, Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has kept the possibility open for McCarthy’s involvement.
With McCarthy now sidelined, Darnold is projected to start for the Vikings in Week 1 against the New York Giants on September 8.
Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, has struggled to meet expectations in the NFL. The 27-year-old began his career with the New York Jets (2018-2020) and later played for the Carolina Panthers (2021-22) and San Francisco 49ers (2023). Darnold holds a 21-35 record as a starter, with 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions in his career.
Quarterback injuries were a significant issue for the Vikings in 2023, as the team utilized four different quarterbacks and finished the season with the 22nd-ranked offense in total points.
