Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy is going to miss a ton of time during his rookie campaign as he is preparing to undergo surgery on a meniscus tear in his right knee, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport.
McCarthy didn’t practice with the team on Monday night after reporting some “right knee soreness” and being held out for what was deemed precautionary reasons.
The surgery will determine how much time McCarthy will miss with the Vikings during his rookie campaign.
#Vikings QB JJ McCarthy missed practice with knee soreness and tests revealed a meniscus issue that he’ll undergo surgery for, per me and @TomPelissero. pic.twitter.com/2WSxVdaOtX
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2024
If his surgery is just for a trim, McCarthy would be out for a few weeks, but if it is a full repair, the timeline could be months, which means he won’t be playing much in 2024.
His surgery will cement Sam Darnold’s status as the team’s starting quarterback for their Week 1 game against the New York Giants.
In the meantime, the Vikings are headed to Cleveland ahead of a pair of joint practices with the Browns on Wednesday and Thursday. The two teams will play against each other on Saturday.
JJ McCarthy had an impressive preseason opener against the Raiders, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
JJ McCarthy Has A Ton of Upside Despite His Latest Injury
JJ McCarthy, the tenth overall pick out of Michigan in this year’s draft, is the future of the Minnesota Vikings despite working with the Vikings-second team offense throughout training camp.
Much needed playing time will not happen much in 2024 now that he is prepared to get surgery.
His upside is very high for a player who is coming off completing 67.6% of his passes for 6,226 yards, 49 touchdown passes, and 11 interceptions while compiling a 27—1 record as a starter in three seasons in Ann Arbor, per Sports Reference.
He also has a championship pedigree, as he helped lead the Wolverines to a national title in January.
