The Green Bay Packers will not face Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy this season after the first-round pick underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that McCarthy would miss the entire 2024 season on Wednesday.
McCarthy suffered the injury during the Vikings’ 24-23 win over the Raiders on Saturday. The 10th overall pick made some impressive throws during his rookie debut, including a 45-yard touchdown to wide receiver Trishton Jackson. McCarthy ended up throwing for 188 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
J.J. McCarthy to Trishton Jackson for the 45 yard TD!
And @JJettas2 LOVES it!
📺: #LVvsMIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QmEKsnabMz— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024
With McCarthy now out for the year, veteran quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to be named the starting quarterback.
Minnesota signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract this offseason after previous starter Kirk Cousins signed a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. The Vikings then used their first-round selection on McCarthy to compete with the Darnold for the starting job.
Coming off a National Championship at Michigan, the hope was that McCarthy would emerge as the franchise quarterback. Those plans are now on hold until 2025.
Jaren Hall also appeared in Saturday’s preseason game and may serve as the backup to Darnold, a former top-5 draft pick who has started 56 games over six seasons.
Darnold has made one career start against the Packers, which came during his rookie season in 2018. As a member of the New York Jets, Darnold threw for 341 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a 44-38 loss in overtime.
The NFC North is stacked with young quarterback talent, including Jordan Love in Green Bay, Caleb Williams with the Chicago Bears, and McCarthy with the Vikings. However, the Packers may have caught a break by avoiding McCarthy this season.
Being a divisional opponent, the Packers will face Minnesota twice in 2024. The first matchup is scheduled for Week 4 and the second for Week 17.