JJ McCarthy injury: Minnesota Vikings confirm severe nature of QB's knee injury

JJ McCarthy’s rookie season is over before the quarterback ever took a snap in the regular season.

That unfortunate reality was confirmed by the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday afternoon. News of a torn meniscus for McCarthy surfaced on Tuesday with head coach Kevin O’Connell announcing at the time McCarthy would have a procedure to determine the extent of the injury.

O’Connell announced that the procedure was effective on Wednesday but did reveal that a full repair of McCarthy’s meniscus was needed. As a result, McCarthy’s 2024 season is over.

“He did undergo surgery this morning on that meniscus,” confirmed O’Connell. “It was a successful procedure but it did reveal a repair was necessary, which will end JJ’s 2024 season.”

O’Connell also said the news was crushing to the locker room as a lot of excitement was building in the locker room around McCarthy.

Head Coach Kevin O’Connell announces that J.J. McCarthy underwent successful surgery this morning that required a full repair and he will miss the entire 2024 season.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 14, 2024

The news is a heartbreaking one for the Vikings and McCarthy after the franchise turned the page at the QB position this offseason. Minnesota let veteran Kirk Cousins walk in free agency after an Achilles injury a year ago, and McCarthy was drafted as the face of the future with potential to earn the starting job in 2024.

McCarthy finished his career at Michigan with one of the best overall seasons in program history in 2023. He completed 72% of his passes with 25 total touchdowns and just 4 interceptions while guiding the Wolverines to a 15-0 overall record and national championship.

The good news is McCarthy should be able to make a full recovery, but that doesn’t take away from the disappointing nature of this setback.