The pre-season has already commenced, and it appears to be a rollercoaster ride for numerous teams. The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback experienced a downturn following the first pre-season game. Despite an impressive debut last weekend, where he completed 188 passes and scored two touchdowns, rookie QB J.J. McCarthy is now facing a setback. It seems that the knee soreness he experienced has a more serious underlying issue.
According to his coach, Kevin O’Connell, McCarthy, the first-round pick, is currently dealing with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Fans who were eagerly awaiting an update on his injury are now anxiously waiting for news regarding McCarthy’s return. The Purple Persuasion’s post on X states that the rookie QB has yet to undergo either a meniscectomy or a meniscus repair. Dr. Evan Jeffries, who provided the information, mentioned that a meniscus repair could keep McCarthy off the field for an extended period of time, ranging from 4 to 6 months.
It appears that Jalen Ramsey had a similar experience last season, as his outer rim meniscus was torn off in July 2023. He was initially expected to return in December 2023 but ended up making a comeback in October, making his recovery time only three months. Unlike Ramsey, McCarthy’s right knee meniscus tear may not allow for such a quick return. The coach’s decision on whether to opt for a trim surgery or a meniscus repair will determine if McCarthy can make an early return or if he will have to wait until 2025. This decision is solely based on medical factors, according to the Vikings’ HC.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return, McCarthy seemed confident and expressed his love for his home on X, stating that he will be back in no time. However, with McCarthy out of action, his debut in the 2024 season will have to wait until the Vikings provide a timeline for his return after the surgery. In the meantime, let’s take a look at McCarthy’s journey from college to the 2024 NFL draft.
During his college days at Michigan, McCarthy displayed promising potential as a QB. Although he wasn’t the top QB in college football, he had impressive stats, including a 72.3% pass completion rate and a total QBR of 89.2, ranking him third in the country. Over three college seasons, he threw 40 passes and had 11 interceptions, ultimately leading the Wolverines to a national championship in 2023. However, his ranking dropped to fourth before the 2024 NFL draft, according to the ESPN consensus rankings.
Despite some concerns about his ability to consistently throw the ball to the boundary or downfield, McCarthy was selected as the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Vikings. His arm talent was never in question, but his footwork needed improvement, which is currently not possible due to his injury.
While the Vikings hope for McCarthy’s speedy recovery, the question remains: who will replace him in the upcoming season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Photo from JJ McCarthy Instagram
