In breaking news from the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced on Tuesday that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 NFL season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. This devastating blow came after McCarthy underwent surgery for a full repair of the meniscus, as confirmed by head coach Kevin O’Connell on Wednesday.
With McCarthy sidelined, the spotlight now shifts to Sam Darnold as the presumptive starter for the Vikings in the upcoming season. Coach O’Connell expressed his disappointment for McCarthy, stating, “As crushed as I am for our team and the excitement we had in our building, and our fanbase felt the same way … I am the most crushed for J.J. But as our fans either have already come to find out or will in the future, this guy is so motivated and so dialed in.”
Despite the setback, O’Connell remains optimistic about McCarthy’s future, emphasizing his belief in the young quarterback’s ability to bounce back stronger than ever. “Other quarterbacks in our league have gone through similar things early on in their journey and come back stronger and better than ever. And that is not only my expectation, I know that is going to happen for J.J,” O’Connell said.
The injury was discovered after McCarthy reported knee soreness following his strong performance in Minnesota’s preseason opener, where he impressed by completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Although the physical reps may be limited in the short-term, O’Connell is focused on preparing McCarthy mentally for his return to the field.
Despite the setback, McCarthy’s absence has impacted the Vikings’ win projections, with SportsLine’s Stephen Oh projecting a half win drop to 6.5 without him. The odds to win the NFC North and make the playoffs have also taken a hit following the rookie quarterback’s injury.
As the Vikings regroup and adjust to McCarthy’s absence, all eyes will be on Sam Darnold as he steps into the starting role for the upcoming NFL season. The team will be looking to rally around their new leader and overcome the challenges that lie ahead.