Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee, coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Tuesday.
McCarthy sustained the injury during his preseason debut on Saturday, where he delivered an impressive performance with 11 completions out of 17 attempts for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception against Las Vegas. He reported ongoing soreness to the team when they reconvened on Monday, prompting further evaluation for the 10th overall draft pick from Michigan.
The team has yet to schedule the surgery or determine the length of McCarthy’s recovery time. This leaves the 21-year-old quarterback facing a potential return in a month or possibly missing the entire season. The duration of rehabilitation largely depends on the extent of the tear, which will be assessed during the procedure.
McCarthy’s injury is a setback for the Vikings, who were planning to increase his involvement with the first-team offense throughout the remainder of training camp. The team is currently away for joint practices and a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.
With McCarthy sidelined, Sam Darnold, who has been leading the quarterback depth chart, is set to be the starter at the beginning of the season. Nick Mullens will serve as the primary backup, supported by Jaren Hall in his second year on the roster. O’Connell mentioned that there are no immediate plans to add another quarterback to the lineup.
