McCarthy Injures Knee, Rookie Season in Jeopardy

In a disappointing turn of events for the Minnesota Vikings, rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is set to have surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee. This injury will likely delay his NFL career, which has left fans and the team concerned.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed the news following McCarthy’s impressive preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders. He completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for 18 yards on two carries.

McCarthy, who was the sixth quarterback taken in the 2024 NFL draft, had been competing for the starting spot with veteran Sam Darnold after Kirk Cousins left the team for the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the offseason.

The young quarterback’s knee troubles began after he complained of soreness following Monday’s practice. O’Connell shared that the decision on what type of surgery McCarthy will undergo will be made at the beginning of the procedure, which will further determine the length of his recovery.

During his time at Michigan, McCarthy helped the Wolverines win their first national championship since 1997, which only adds to the anticipation surrounding his development in the NFL.

As the team moves forward, Darnold is expected to take over as the starting quarterback, which makes it vital for McCarthy to focus on his recovery to prepare for future seasons.

The Vikings organization and their fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for McCarthy so he can return to the field and showcase his talent.