In Berea, Ohio, Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy had surgery on his right knee, which has ruled him out for the season. The surgery was necessary to repair a torn meniscus that occurred during his preseason debut against Las Vegas last weekend. McCarthy, a former standout from the University of Michigan, was anticipated to be the backup to starting quarterback Sam Darnold after a strong training camp.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell announced McCarthy’s season-ending surgery as the team arrived in Cleveland for joint practices with the Browns. Despite the setback, O’Connell expressed confidence in McCarthy’s abilities and potential for the future, highlighting the quarterback’s positive progress over recent months.

McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the NFL draft and a key figure in Michigan’s national title win, showcased promise in his performance against the Raiders, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Following the game, the 21-year-old reported knee soreness, leading to the discovery of the meniscus tear through medical tests.

Initially, the Vikings had hoped McCarthy would only be sidelined for a month, but the severity of the injury necessitated season-ending surgery. As a result, Nick Mullens will step into the role of Minnesota’s backup quarterback, with O’Connell expressing confidence in Mullens’ ability to provide support to the team if needed.