EAGAN, Minn. — The development of Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be put on hold after the team announced Tuesday he'll need surgery after tearing a meniscus in his right knee.
During a virtual press conference, coach Kevin O'Connell said there's no timetable for McCarthy's return, saying that it won't be determined until after the procedure, which will take place in the "near future."
"As far as the timeline of the injury, that will be something determined during the procedure, based upon whether it can just be a cleanup or potentially a repair," said O'Connell. "That won't be able to be determined until that procedure takes place. So, I would really just be speculating on a timeline at this point."
TRIA Orthopedic Surgeon Brad Nelson said the meniscus acts like a shock absorber between the thigh and shin bones. He said there are two types of procedures McCarthy could get — a cleanup or a repair.
“A meniscus cleanup operation, somebody might be on crutches for a couple of days, they may be back to a lot of their activities in six weeks," said Nelson. "A meniscus repair, the athlete may be on crutches for six weeks, and it may take 4.5 or 5 months of that athlete to fully return to sports."
He said McCarthy's surgeon won't know what operation he'll perform until they can see the damage up close.
“The thing that determines whether or not the meniscus is repairable is really where the tear is located and what kind of tear it is. The tear has to be in part of the meniscus that has a blood supply for it to heal. Those are the ones we would try to repair," he said.
Nelson said a meniscus repair would be the best option for McCarthy's long term health.
“If it’s repair, the athlete is going to be in a brace and on crutches from 4-6 weeks, and so after that, they have to get their range of motion back, and then there’s really a period of strength training and getting you coordination and sport specific skill back and that’s why it takes so long to recover," Nelson said.
Allina Health Orthopedic Surgeon Ryan Fader said meniscus tears aren't out of the ordinary for athletes.
“They’re very common amongst cutting and pivoting athletes because there’s just so much pounding that occurs to that meniscus and, you know, think about just the dynamics of a sport like football, and even more so at a position like quarterback," he said.
Fader said there are three types of meniscus tears, and knowing which type of tear it is can determine what type of surgery will be required.
Fader said he performs five to seven meniscus procedures a week, and he doesn't believe this injury will hold McCarthy back.
“He’s young guy, he’s going to have great healing potential and so assuming this tear has good vascularity, it should heal and should not be a major limiter in terms of his career," he said.
During his press conference on Tuesday, O'Connell said they're still unsure about what kind of procedure McCarthy will require.
"First and foremost, we'll get this procedure done, we'll make sure that we're doing the right things for him to have the best possible recovery when that takes place," O'Connell said. "... Obviously we didn't want J.J. to get injured, but we don't know the severity yet, and that is honestly where we're at."
McCarthy played into the third quarter of Saturday's preseason game — completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception — before being replaced by Jaren Hall. O'Connell said he didn't know when the injury may have occurred, and added that McCarthy didn't leave the game due to the injury.
"He finished his night with his second touchdown pass, and at that point, kind of had reached the snap count that I was hoping to get him for the game, and at that point was taken out," O'Connell said. "At no time did he think it was something that would take him out of the football game; not allow him to play."
