Vikings' J.J. McCarthy on wrong side of history after season-ending injury

Knowing quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s rookie season would be a part of history likely would have been music to the Minnesota Vikings’ ears just a few days ago.

However, this isn’t the kind of history McCarthy or the Vikings want any part in.

With the news that McCarthy was going to miss his entire rookie season after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, McCarthy will become the first quarterback in the common era (since 1967) drafted in the first round to miss his season debut because of an injury, per CBS Sports .

He’ll also become the eighth first-round QB to not pay during his rookie season. Five of the others — Jordan Love (2020), Jason Campbell (2005), Carson Palmer (2003), Ken O’Brien (1983) and Steve Pisarkiewicz (1977) — were backups during their rookie years, while Kelly Stouffer (1987) sat out due to a contract dispute and Jim Kelly (1983) played in the USFL.

McCarthy played arguably the best of all the first-round rookie QBs during the preseason debuts, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Minnesota’s 24-23 win over the Las Vegas Raiders over the weekend.

Both of McCarthy’s touchdown passes came on deep plays as he hit Trishton Jackson for a 45-yard score early in the third quarter, and he connected with Trent Sherfield on a 33-yard TD strike exactly five minutes later.

While it was unlikely McCarthy would’ve been Minnesota’s Week 1 starter with veteran Sam Darnold in the pole position for that job, McCarthy could've seen some playing time as a rookie at some point.