J.J. McCarthy Injury: Will Vikings QB Miss Season?

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has suffered a knee injury. How much time will the Vikings’ rookie miss? Find out McCarthy’s injury details below.

J.J. McCarthy Injures Knee

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McCarthy has a meniscus tear in his right knee. Head coach Kevin O’Connell informed reporters about the injury on Tuesday.

McCarthy is scheduled for surgery this week.

The severity of the injury will determine how much McCarthy will miss. If the procedure results in a cleanup of the injury, McCarthy should only miss a few months. If it’s a repair, then the rookie will miss many months.

McCarthy injured his meniscus during Saturday’s 24-23 preseason victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Michigan product replaced Sam Darnold on the Vikings’ second drive. After throwing an early interception, McCarthy settled in, finishing the game 11 of 17 for 188 yards and two touchdowns. McCarthy’s last play resulted in an impressive touchdown pass down the sideline.

On X (formerly Twitter), McCarthy wrote, “Love you Viking nation. I’ll be back in no time. Amor fati.”

The Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Who Will Start At QB For The Minnesota Vikings?

With the injury to McCarthy, who will start for the Minnesota Vikings at quarterback?

Darnold is now in line to start at QB for the Vikings in Week 1.

After spending the 2023 season as the backup to Brock Purdy in San Francisco, Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings this offseason.

Darnold is 21-35 as a starting quarterback in six seasons. The former No. 3 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has thrown for 12,064 yards, 63 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions.

The Vikings are Darnold’s fourth team behind the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and 49ers.

The other two quarterbacks on the roster are Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall, who both played for the Vikings in 2023.

The Vikings open the season on the road against the New York Giants.