Report: Vikings expected to 'keep their eyes open' for veteran QB

The Minnesota Vikings will reportedly "keep their eyes open" for a veteran quarterback following the season-ending injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

McCarthy was officially ruled out for the season on Wednesday after he underwent a full meniscus repair.

Sam Darnold was always expected to start the season under center for the Vikings whether the injury happened or not, but it's reported by Rapoport that the team will be on the lookout for any veteran quarterbacks released or traded as teams dwindle down rosters this month.

"Nick Mullens is now the backup. I would expect the Vikings to kind of keep their eyes open for a veteran quarterback, maybe some sort of a cutdown-day trade, maybe someone who is released unexpected. Always going to scour the league for some depth options, but make no mistake: it is going to be Sam Darnold now as their starter as it was before, going forward," Rapoport said.

Mullens served as the Vikings' backup quarterback to Kirk Cousins last season and appeared in five games after Cousins went down with a torn Achilles. He had a 68% completion rate, threw for 1,306 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in those games. The 29-year-old is a gunslinger and wild card at times under center but has enough experience to serve as a backup.

Hall, 26, didn't play much last season for Minnesota but most of that could be blamed on his concussion suffered against the Atlanta Falcons and Joshua Dobbs stepping in and taking over until Mullens resumed under center until he got injured. Hall showed encouraging signs before his injury, as he completed 5 of 6 passes for 78 yards against the Falcons. Hall started against the Green Bay Packers on New Year's Eve and didn't perform well, going 5-for-10 for 67 yards and an interception in a blowout loss.

Hall offers more upside with his legs but his experience is lacking. His preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders was nothing to glorify, as he finished 7-for-17 for 63 yards. However, he led the Vikings on the game-winning drive that ended with a 39-yard field goal from rookie kicker Will Reichard.

Whatever the Vikings end up doing, it will be Darnold who will be the main man on Sundays, barring injury or poor performance.

Related: Vikings QB Sam Darnold could be poised for a career season, whether it's notable or not

It's expected to be a transition type of year for the team, and it's unlikely Minnesota will go out of their way to obtain another arm, as head coach Kevin O'Connell has already said McCarthy is their franchise quarterback.