Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 NFL season after undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee during the preseason.
The No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft suffered the injury in his debut against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.
McCarthy completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in an impressive performance, but he did not participate in team practice Monday with what was initially thought to be just knee soreness.
Further tests revealed a torn meniscus in his right knee, and the former University of Michigan star will miss the season after undergoing surgery on Wednesday.
McCarthy had a solid training camp with the Vikings, but was expected to start the season as the backup QB to veteran starter Sam Dalnold, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Minnesota in March.
“I'm most shocked by JJ,” Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters after the injury.
“Now he has to go through this process so that when his time comes, he'll be healthy and ready to take charge of this.”
The Vikings are dealing with another injury as the new season begins on Sept. 5. Wide receiver Jordan Addison suffered an ankle injury during a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday and was carted off the field.
The wide receiver, who had 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie last season, was treated on the field before being taken out for further treatment and evaluation.
But Vikings coach O'Connell doesn't think the injury is serious, saying, “It's early in practice and I hate to see that, but I think he'll be OK.”
“We'll go through the whole process and take some pictures so we can see exactly what it is.”
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