The Minnesota Vikings have announced that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy underwent successful surgery and will miss the entire season due to his meniscus injury.
Fans are anxious for updates on McCarthy’s condition following head coach Kevin O’Connell’s comments on Tuesday, stating that the severity of the injury is still unclear and the recovery timeline is uncertain. Although McCarthy will need surgery, the specific type of procedure remains undisclosed. McCarthy expressed optimism, stating he would “be back in no time.”
An expert consulted by WCCO provided insight into torn meniscus injuries and the potential duration of McCarthy’s recovery. According to the Mayo Clinic, the meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage that serves as a cushion between the shinbone and thighbone, and tears are a common knee injury that can result from twisting or rotating the knee while bearing weight.
The recovery period for a torn meniscus can vary. Dr. Ryan Fader, an orthopedic sports surgeon at Allina Health, indicated that if McCarthy’s tear is minor, recovery might take four to eight weeks. However, a complete repair could extend recovery to four to six months. Dr. Fader, who is not involved in McCarthy’s case, expressed cautious optimism, believing McCarthy could return later in the season.
Historically, other athletes have experienced similar injuries. Running back Adrian Peterson tore his meniscus in September 2016 but returned in December, although he faced setbacks in subsequent games. Linebacker Anthony Barr had a minor meniscus tear in his rookie season in 2014, bouncing back by the start of the next season but dealt with ongoing knee issues. More recently, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in March but returned a month later, performing well in the playoffs despite a slight decrease in his statistics.