JJ McCarthy in the House and Throwing the Football Around Prior to Vikings vs Lions

The Minnesota Vikings are playing the Detroit Lions right now , in the biggest game of the entire NFL week 7 slate. Sam Darnold is the Vikings quarterback for the 2024 season, but he is VERY unlikely to be their QB in 2025. That job is expected to belong to JJ McCarthy, who was drafted No. 10 overall for that exact reason.

But McCarthy tore his meniscus in the Vikings first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and that ended any chance he had at taking over as Minnesota’s starter, in 2024. Since his surgery, we’ve seen JJ emerge just one time, for a meeting with reporters.

Inside TCO Performance Center in Eagan, McCarthy has been a regular in meeting rooms and QB get-togethers. But for the rest of us, we have seen very little of the Vikings rookie quarterback. Unless you follow him on social media, of course. Other than his Twitter and Instagram accounts, the 21-year-old has been nowhere to be seen.

JJ McCarthy is in the building for Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions

Until Sunday, when JJ McCarthy was first spotted by media members while walking around U.S. Bank Stadium before the game, something that had not happened prior to today. He was walking around, throwing the football and stood on the sideline with his teammates during the game.

No, McCarthy is not going to suit up for the Minnesota Vikings this season. But that’s ok, the offense is in very capable hands, under Sam Darnold and his head coach, Kevin O’Connell. Nonetheless, it’s really good to see the top draft pick from April is back on his feet and well on his way back to a full recovery.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings EDGE Welcomes Revenge Factor NFC North Trade Rumors

We’ll leave the QB controversy questions for another article, because those questions are coming. In fact, they’ve already started . And with how well Sam Darnold is playing, it’s fodder worth exploring. But for now, let’s enjoy this first half performance vs Detroit and hope the Vikings can hold on through the 2nd half.

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