Knee Surgery All But Ends J.J. McCarthy's Chance Of Winning Vikings Starting QB Job
Just when it was going so well for Minnesota Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy, and at precisely the time he might have begun a strong push for the team's starting quarterback job … bad luck.
McCarthy has a sore right knee now, which signals a meniscus issue, and he's going to have a surgical procedure this week to identify the problem, according to Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell.
The soreness forced McCarthy to sit out Monday evening's scheduled practice "out of precaution," O'Connell said.
The looming "procedure" is meant to address a torn meniscus in his right knee, O'Connell said.
McCarthy Nursing Right Knee Issue
"Very important player, obviously," O'Connell said. "So we want to make sure we're smart before he participates, making sure we have a good understanding of where he's at."
Where McCarthy is at is all but out of the race to become the Vikings starting quarterback.
It's certain McCarthy will miss multiple weeks rehabilitating from the procedure regardless of what it turns up.
That puts Sam Darnold in the starting job for the club's Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Giants.
Imagine, Sam Darnold making his return to MetLife Stadium, where he played for three years for the New York Jets. Crazy.
That's terrible luck for McCarthy because this was supposed to be a big week for him.
The rookie was on the verge of getting more work with the first-team offense this week. That was supposed to be the plan starting Monday and in dual practices with the Cleveland Browns, coming off his notable performance last weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Vikings Hope To Salvage McCarthy Plan
The Vikings are scheduled to depart Tuesday afternoon for Cleveland. They will hold joint practices with the Browns Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the preseason game on Saturday.
That's not going to happen for McCarthy.
He was supposed to get the extended work with starters this week because of his performance against the Raiders last week. O'Connell wanted to see the club's first-round QB against better competition this week anyway.
But McCarthy's work in that last game stressed the point that he was ready for the test.
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
McCarthy Was Excellent Vs. Raiders
McCarthy entered the game late in the first quarter and played until throwing his second touchdown of the day with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter.
McCarthy completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. It was an impressive start for a rookie in his first preseason outing.
And that's what the Vikings want to see more of because they are otherwise going to award the starting job to Sam Darnold, who has more experience and has been more than solid in practices throughout the offseason and in training camp.
And here's where things get interesting: The Vikings now have to reboot the entire quarterback room for a quarterback competition that could carry all season long.
Injury Has Decided Starter
Whenever McCarthy returns – to be determined by what the procedure uncovers -- it'll be his job to regain the momentum he had just prior to this injury. That will be difficult in a regular-season setting because backup quarterbacks get limited repetitions in practice.
But, remember, this is Sam Darnold starting for the Vikes.
He is a journeyman playing on his fourth team in five years. There's a reason he hasn't been able to stick with one team and that is inconsistency.
If that inconsistency shows itself later in the season, and McCarthy is ready, then the opportunity that was supposed to come this week will still come this season.