On Saturday, in the Vikings’ preseason opener, rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy stole the show with a dazzling performance. But on Monday evening at training camp, McCarthy was nowhere to be seen.
Here’s the latest on McCarthy’s knee injury.
What’s the Latest on J.J. McCarthy’s Knee Injury?
Vikings fans flocked to the team’s training camp facility on Monday night to watch the team practice, many of them hoping to get a glimpse at their rookie quarterback following his impressive two-touchdown performance in the preseason opener.
Unfortunately, McCarthy was conspicuously absent when the team took the field in front of a packed house. Word spread it was a sore knee for McCarthy, but the feeling was not ominous.
That is until late Tuesday morning.
ESPN Sources: Vikings rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy is expected to be undergo knee surgery that will determine how much time he will be sidelined. McCarthy complained about knee soreness over the weekend, and underwent an MRI on Monday night. pic.twitter.com/EdqV8JSoNc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2024
The tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter was quickly followed up by ESPN colleague Kevin Seifert, who provided additional detail and context.
Seifert explained that McCarthy needs surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and that a timeline for his recovery and return won’t be known until doctors discern whether the meniscus requires a trim or a complete repair.
What’s Next for the Vikings?
Sam Darnold was signed by the Vikings this offseason and entered training camp as the team’s No. 1 quarterback. McCarthy impressed from Day 1 in Minnesota all the way through Saturday’s preseason game, but the feeling remained that Darnold would hold onto the starting job for the near term.
The feeling that Darnold would be the starter now seems like a near certainty, with McCarthy likely to be sidelined for multiple weeks, if not longer.
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Darnold, who has received praise from his head coach and offensive teammates, was 4-for-8 for 59 yards against the Raiders in the first preseason game.
Even with McCarthy sidelined, the Vikings have depth at the position. Veteran Nick Mullens, who has been with the Vikings since 2022 and is well-versed in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, is in line to be the backup.
The Vikings also have Jaren Hall, a fifth-round pick in 2023, on the roster. Hall played in three games with two starts last season.
The Vikings travel to Cleveland on Tuesday for two days of joint practices with the Browns ahead of their preseason game against each other on Saturday. The Vikings then return home before hitting the road for their third and final preseason game, which is in Philadelphia on Saturday, Aug. 24.