Major JJ McCarthy injury update as Minnesota Vikings quarterback suffered swelling on knee after rookie year was ruined
A CRUCIAL injury update has been revealed on rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy.
The 2024 NFL first-round pick dealt with issues with his right knee – the same one that needed season-ending surgery in August.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported on Wednesday that McCarthy recently needed a second surgery on his right knee.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed the news to reporters later that day.
He downplayed the news and said McCarthy has shown encouraging signs in his rehab process.
“We just wanted to make sure that there was no cause for concern,” O’Connell said, per NFL Network. “All reports were very positive. He’s on the original timeline and in good shape. … (We) feel really good about where he’s at.”
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The Vikings rookie underwent meniscus surgery on August 14.
McCarthy’s latest procedure was to address the swelling in the knee which occurred as he ramped up his rehab, per the report.
The report added he also received a biological injection to deal with the problem.
McCarthy was already expected to miss the rest of the season and the latest development reportedly won’t change the No. 10 pick’s recovery timeline.
It’s expected that McCarthy will play at the start of the 2025 campaign.
Veteran Sam Darnold was No. 1 on the depth chart at the start of training camp and the McCarthy injury left him as the unquestioned starter for the campaign.
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Darnold experienced a hot start to the year, throwing 11 touchdowns against three interceptions in the first four games.
However, he has regressed recently, passing for six touchdowns against seven interceptions in the last five games.
Still, Darnold has guided the Vikings to a 7-2 record and is set to remain the team’s quarterback for the rest of the season.
McCarthy remains the likely favorite to be given the keys to starting the season in the next campaign.
Darnold will be a free agent after 2024 and the Vikings can save money by riding with McCarthy, who will be in his second year of his rookie contract in 2025.
The 21-year-old helped lead Michigan to an undefeated season and a national title in 2023.
Still, it will be interesting how McCarthy plays in 2025, given he has missed a year of development.
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The Vikings will face the 2-7 Tennessee Titans in Week 11.
Darnold is coming off a three-interception performance in the team’s 12-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10.
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