The first season for Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy is over before it even began. That's because McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus and underwent surgery on Wednesday.
So, yes, he's out until 2025.
The Vikings are taking part in joint practices with the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio, where coach Kevin O'Connell spoke to reporters.
"He's confirmed everything that I hoped to see early in training camp through his performance last Saturday," O'Connell said, "but our fan base and everyone should just be excited about the fact that we've got our young franchise quarterback, I believe, in the building. And now it's about the unique aspect of continuing a 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."
Minnesota signed veteran QB Sam Darnold to a one-year contract in the offseason, and he is now the likely starter. Holdovers Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall are also still on the roster.
Per ESPN: "McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick of the April draft, will be the fourth first-round quarterback in this century who did not play in a regular-season game as a rookie, joining Green Bay's Jordan Love (2020), Washington's Jason Campbell (2005) and Cincinnati's Carson Palmer (2003)."
McCarthy injured his knee during the Vikings' preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
"Other quarterbacks in our league have gone through similar things early on in their journey and came back better and stronger than ever, and that is not only my expectation, but I know that is going to happen for J.J," O'Connell said. "We'll have a great plan for him not only in the quarterback room with those other guys, but a process so that him and I can continue to build our rapport and make sure there is a day-to-day football process."
