Vikings HC Updates J.J. McCarthy’s Injury Recovery

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While it’s incredibly sorrowful that the Minnesota Vikings won’t have their shiny rookie quarterback at any time in 2024, the man’s injury recovery is progressing well, says head coach Kevin O’Connell.

Vikings HC Updates J.J. McCarthy’s Injury Recovery

The Vikings drafted McCarthy four months ago with the 10th overall pick, nominating the Michigan alumnus as the quarterback of the future after Kirk Cousins skedaddled to the Atlanta Falcons in March. McCarthy looked the part in every way, shape, and form in May, June, July, and August — and then tore his meniscus during the first preseason game. Such is life for Vikings fans.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center during 2024 Training Camp. July 26, 2024. The Vikings drafted McCarthy in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 10th overall pick. He takes over for Kirk Cousins.

But the recovery is going well. “He’s doing great. He’s kind of through the early part of that rehab. Now he’s kind of to the point where he’s back in meetings, right alongside Sam Darnold and the other quarterbacks every single day. He’s motoring around the building and he’s got a little cart to get him around the building here and there,” O’Connell said Tuesday, just five days before his team takes on the New York Giants in New Jersey.

O’Connell also had jokes: “He did crash it into my office wall yesterday. No injuries to report, but maybe a little damage from the motorized cart.”

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Without McCarthy, Minnesota will turn to the aforementioned Darnold, a man who has never consistently caught on as a starting quarterback despite his status as the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Darnold has bounced around from the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers to the Vikings now in the last six seasons. In fact, his gig in Minnesota this season may be his last best chance to prove QB1 mettle. Stay tuned.

Until McCarthy’s regrettable injury, he and Darnold were neck and neck to determine the Week 1 starter. Some fringe theories claimed McCarthy had done enough at training camp and in the preseason to possibly win the job outright. Others believed Darnold would lead the team for the first few games, no matter what.

New Minnesota VIkings quarterback Sam Darnold at June 2024 minicamp. Eagan, Minnesota. TCO Performance Center. Darnold has played with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers in his six-year career.

Earlier this week, The Athletic claimed McCarthy had stolen the hearts of coaches and executives leaguewide — so much so that credible onlookers believed the young Wolverine was trending as the best quarterback from the 2024 class.

“Quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s torn meniscus was a tough one to swallow,” The Athletic’s Jeff Howe wrote last weekend. “Prior to the injury, rival coaches and executives debated whether the Michigan product would’ve had the best season among the six first-round rookie QBs.”

McCarthy can not return under any circumstances in 2024, but if Darnold were injured, Minnesota would pass the torch to Nick Mullens or Brett Rypien.

deal
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy talks about trading nicknames with wide receiver Justin Jefferson, getting acquainted with Minnesota, pregame meditation, listening to Bob Marley and more. The Vikings drafted McCarthy in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 10th overall pick. He takes over for Kirk Cousins.

Once the 2025 offseason arrives in four months, Vikings fans will wait anxiously to learn if McCarthy will be awarded the QB1 job without contest or if the franchise will explore another bridge quarterback, perhaps even a Year No. 2 of Darnold.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

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