In a devastating blow to the Minnesota Vikings’ hopes for the upcoming season, rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is set to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee. The news, first reported by NFL Media, came on Tuesday and has left the team scrambling to adjust their plans for the start of the 2024 season.
According to ESPN, tests performed on McCarthy’s sore knee revealed the severity of the injury. The outcome of the surgery will determine how long he will be sidelined for, with a meniscus trim potentially keeping him out for just a few weeks, while a repair could see him miss months of action. This uncertainty has thrust Sam Darnold into the spotlight as the likely starting QB for the Vikings in the immediate future.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell shed some light on the situation, explaining that McCarthy complained of knee soreness after the team’s preseason game. The decision to hold him out of practice was precautionary, with O’Connell emphasizing the importance of ensuring McCarthy’s health and well-being before allowing him to take the field.
“Out of precaution, we’re going to continue an evaluation on him and get some more testing done,” O’Connell said. “He is a very important player, obviously, so we want to make sure we’re smart before he participates, making sure we have a good understanding of where he’s at.”
Unfortunately for the Vikings, the subsequent tests revealed the worst-case scenario. Despite McCarthy’s impressive performance in the preseason opener, where he threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns, his promising start has been derailed by this injury setback.
With tight end T.J. Hockenson still recovering from an ACL tear and the potential suspension of wide receiver Jordan Addison looming, the Vikings find themselves facing a difficult situation before the season has even begun. The team will need to rely on Darnold and other key players to step up in McCarthy’s absence and keep their playoff hopes alive.