EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will sit out the rest of the 2024-25 season after undergoing surgery Wednesday on a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said it was a successful procedure, but the knee required a "full repair," which will end the 21-year-old quarterback's season.
The news comes as a major blow after McCarthy put together a promising preseason debut Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The first-round (10th overall) pick went 11 of 17 for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while helping the Vikings rally to a 24-23 victory over the Raiders.
"As crushed as I am for our team and the excitement that we had in our building — and our fanbase felt the same way, especially after seeing him perform really well the other day at U.S. Bank Stadium — I'm the most crushed for J.J.," said O'Connell prior to the team's joint practice with the Cleveland Browns Wednesday. "But as our fans — either have already come to find out or will in the future — (will see) this guy is so motivated and so dialed in."
Sam Darnold, a former first-round pick and free agent acquisition, was already in line to be the Vikings' starting quarterback in Week 1, but McCarthy's play throughout training camp and in the first preseason game gave fans — and coaches — plenty to be excited about.
"As excited as I was to draft him, he's confirmed everything that I'd hoped to see ... our fanbase, and everyone, should just be excited about the fact that we've got our young franchise quarterback, I believe, in the building," O'Connell said. "Now, it's about the unique aspect of continuing the very critical development process for him, where maybe the physical reps aren't going to be there in the short-term, but this is going to be a small bump in the road."
While it wasn't official, Darnold is now almost certain to be the Vikings' starting quarterback when the season begins on Sept. 8. He was the No. 3 overall pick by the New York Jets in 2018 and spent the past three seasons with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers. Darnold played one series on Saturday against the Raiders and went 4 of 8 for 59 yards before the drive stalled out on Las Vegas's 4-yard line.
"Our football team has been and will continue to be excited about Sam Darnold and what he's been able to bring," O'Connell said. "Great two days of work for him here this week before we continue on with our preparations for the opener. I can't wait to see Sam, not only in these next two days, but continue to just stack some really, really good days and show ultra comfort in our offense."
The Vikings have two joint practices with the Browns on Wednesday and Thursday before the clubs clash in a preseason game Saturday in Cleveland.
