Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced today that rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy complained of knee soreness over the weekend following the team’s preseason opener against the Raiders on Saturday. MRI results have revealed he has a torn meniscus that will require surgery to repair it.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell announces that J.J. McCarthy will undergo a procedure for a torn meniscus in his right knee. pic.twitter.com/O0JgNBgB5t
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 13, 2024
How much time McCarthy will miss will depend on the severity of the injury. According to those familiar with such injuries, if it’s just a trim of the meniscus, he would miss several weeks. If it’s a repair that is needed, he could miss his entire rookie season.
McCarthy didn’t start the game on Saturday. Sam Darnold did. But Darnold played just one drive before McCarthy entered the game late in the first quarter and played through the third quarter, playing a total of 30 snaps in the game.
The Vikings selected McCarthy at 10th overall out of Michigan. Just three spots ahead of the Raiders who picked at 13. McCarthy was the fifth quarterback off the board and one of six taken in the top 12 picks.