BEREA, Ohio — J.J. McCarthy’s first year with the Minnesota Vikings has come to an abrupt end. The former Michigan quarterback and first-round NFL draft selection will be sidelined for the entire season due to surgery required for a torn meniscus in his right knee, an injury he sustained during his preseason debut last week.
McCarthy underwent surgery on Wednesday after suffering the injury during a game against Las Vegas. He had shown promise during training camp, challenging starter Sam Darnold, who joined the team on a one-year, $10 million deal earlier this year.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed McCarthy’s situation just as the team arrived for joint practices with the Cleveland Browns. McCarthy’s injury is a significant blow for the franchise, which is seeking a new direction after parting ways with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Despite skepticism surrounding Minnesota’s decision to draft McCarthy at the 10th overall pick, the 21-year-old had proven himself during the offseason and training camp, leading the Wolverines to a national championship last season.
“I really believe that J.J. has kind of confirmed to me and a lot of our coaches and players that we got the right guy in the building for the future,” O’Connell remarked. “And he did it in a short amount of time. That’s what makes this news hard. It would have been exciting to see his development moving forward.”
In his brief preseason appearance, McCarthy completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception during a close win over the Raiders. After the game, he reported knee soreness, and further tests revealed the meniscus tear. Initially, the Vikings hoped he would only be out for a month, but the extent of the injury became clear after surgery.
“I’m the most crushed for J.J.,” O’Connell said.
Historically, McCarthy joins a select group as just the eighth first-round quarterback since 1967 to not play in his rookie season, with the last being Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers in 2020.
With McCarthy out, Nick Mullens will step in as the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback, while Jaren Hall takes the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. Mullens, who started three games for Minnesota last season due to Cousins’ injury woes, brings valuable experience.
“He’s not just another capable guy in that quarterback room,” O’Connell noted. “He provides context, experience, and understanding of our offense on a daily basis. His experience last year was critical. We’ve seen his ability to drive our offense while also being mindful of turnovers.”
The Vikings are optimistic about Mullens stepping into a key role as they navigate this challenging season.