Unfortunately: Vikings favorite star man ruled out for the season due to injury.
The Minnesota Vikings’ debut season for J.J. McCarthy is already ended.
After suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee during his preseason debut last week, the former Michigan standout quarterback and first-round pick of the NFL will miss the whole season.
McCarthy sustained the injury against Las Vegas and underwent surgery on Wednesday. McCarthy was encouraging starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who in March agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with Minnesota, after he had a strong training camp.
McCarthy’s situation was announced by Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell not long after the squad arrived for two days of combined workouts with the Browns.
For a team seeking a new beginning, McCarthy’s departure was particularly difficult following the release of Kirk Cousins as a free agency.
Although some may have questioned Minnesota’s selection of McCarthy with the 10th overall choice, the 21-year-old, who helped the Wolverines win a national championship the previous year, has been checking all the boxes in recent weeks.
“J.J. and I, along with many of our coaches and players, really feel that we have the right guy in the building for the future,” O’Connell remarked. And he completed the task quickly. This makes the news difficult to accept.
“Because you are aware of how thrilling it would have been to follow along on a daily, minute-by-minute basis. However, I believe that everyone in our facility, including ideally our supporters, should feel optimistic.
In the 24-23 victory over the Raiders, McCarthy completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception; perhaps as a result, he was given additional playing time with the starting lineup.
He reported to the Vikings after the game that his knee hurt, and imaging studies verified the meniscus tear. The Vikings admitted they wouldn’t know for sure until he underwent surgery, but they first anticipated McCarthy would only be off for a month.
“I’m completely smitten with J.J.,” O’Connell exclaimed.
McCarthy will be just the sixth quarterback selected in the first round since 1967, according to Sportradar, who counts the number of quarterbacks who have not played as a rookie. Jordan Love of Green Bay was the most recent to miss his entire rookie season in 2020.
Nick Mullens will be Minnesota’s backup quarterback going forward since McCarthy is no longer a factor. Three spots down the depth chart is Jaren Hall.
Last season, Mullens, 29, started three games for the Minnesota Vikings as the team rotated backup quarterbacks after Kirk Cousins’ injury ruined the team’s season.
O’Connell remarked, “He’s not just another capable guy in that quarterback room.” “On a daily level, he gives us perspective, experience, and understanding of our offense. His previous year’s experience was crucial. In addition to learning how to handle the football and make sure we’re playing aggressively without going over the line by putting the ball in danger of being turned over, I believe he also learned that he could be an explosive leader of our offense.
Like many of us, the squad has seen ups and downs, but Nick is in a position to truly be a player we can rely on and be a snap away, which is why they are enthusiastic about him.
