Another blow to a tough offseason Minnesota VikingsRookie quarterback JJ McCarthy needed to fully repair a torn meniscus, ending his 2024 season before it began.
#Viking First-round QB JJ McCarthy underwent surgery this morning to repair a complete meniscus and will miss the 2024 season, sources tell me. Tom Pelissero.
The repair, performed by Dr. Chris Larson of Twin Cities Orthopedic Surgery, gives McCarthy the best chance for a long and successful career. pic.twitter.com/t5e5LCvpwU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 14, 2024
While there is optimism that McCarthy will return healthy in 2025 and that the surgery will help his career in the long run, this is a big blow for the team and fans who may have been able to see him play sooner than expected. McCarthy looked very good in his first preseason game of his career, showing the brilliance that made him a first-round pick in the last NFL Draft. This will likely be the last time Vikings fans see McCarthy under center in a Vikings purple uniform.
All eyes are now on Sam Darnold, who will be the unquestioned QB1 entering the regular season. Darnold has had a turbulent career since being drafted in the first round in 2018, but he has all the foundations in place to be successful, including receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and tight end TJ Hockenson. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is a skilled play-caller who has worked with players like Darnold before.
But no matter how Darnold plays, fans will be curious to see how McCarthy will play in this Vikings offense, and we’ll never know.
