Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 NFL season

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be out for the entire 2024 NFL season, the team announced on Wednesday.

The rookie underwent successful surgery Wednesday morning that required a full repair of the meniscus on his right knee.

The injury reportedly happened during Saturday's preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. He never left the game until his reps were finished.

The biggest question was whether McCarthy needed to have a trim surgery, which would've sidelined him for around three to six weeks, or if he needed a full repair. The latter results in a lost season for the rookie.

The No. 10 overall pick out of Michigan in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy was impressive in his preseason debut, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception.

“I had a very clear-cut plan of working with J.J. and getting more reps on the field. And obviously coming off a performance like he had where we felt strongly about where he was at and his development process, so really you just hurt for him, in the short term here because he had such a daily process, focus — all those things," O'Connell said on Tuesday.

O'Connell added on Wednesday before the team's first joint practice with the Cleveland Browns that it will be a small bump in the road for his young quarterback, as many others in the league have gone through similar injuries to overcome.

Sam Darnold, who was expected to be QB1 for Minnesota prior to the injury, will remain that as the Vikings inch closer to the regular season. Backing him up going forward will be Nick Mullins and Jaren Hall.

O'Connell mentioned briefly the team may "look at" some quarterbacks to add to the roster.

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