The Minnesota Vikings announced on Wednesday that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has successfully undergone surgery and will miss the entirety of his rookie season due to a meniscus injury.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell indicated on Tuesday that the precise severity of McCarthy’s injury remains unclear, creating uncertainty around his recovery timeline. While it has been confirmed that McCarthy will require surgery, specific details regarding the procedure have not been disclosed. McCarthy expressed optimism about his recovery, stating he would “be back in no time.”
WCCO conducted an analysis of torn meniscus injuries, consulting an expert on anticipated recovery durations for McCarthy.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the meniscus serves as a C-shaped piece of tough, rubbery cartilage that absorbs shock between the shinbone and thighbone. The clinic notes that a torn meniscus is a common knee injury, often occurring from activities that involve forceful twisting or rotating of the knee under full weight.
Dr. Ryan Fader, an orthopedic sports surgeon from Allina Health, informed WCCO that McCarthy’s recovery time can vary significantly. In cases of minor tears, recovery might take four to eight weeks, while a full meniscus repair could result in a recovery duration of four to six months. “Meniscus injuries are relatively common,” Fader commented, adding that he remains cautiously optimistic about McCarthy’s return this season.
Fader is not part of McCarthy’s medical team or rehabilitation process.
Several notable athletes have also faced meniscus tears. Running back Adrian Peterson suffered a tear in September 2016, yet returned to play by December, though he was limited in his performance and missed additional games due to an unrelated injury. Linebacker Anthony Barr experienced a minor meniscus tear during his rookie season in 2014; he was placed on injured reserve late in the season but returned to play in the following year’s opener, although he dealt with knee issues throughout his career.
In a more recent case, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was diagnosed with a torn meniscus on March 7. He successfully returned to action just over a month later, participating in the team’s playoff run while maintaining solid statistical averages despite the injury.