Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 NFL season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason and requiring surgery.
The No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft suffered the injury in his debut Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
McCarthy completed 11 of 17 pass attempts for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in an impressive performance, but he missed the team’s practice on Monday with what was initially thought to be knee soreness.
Further tests revealed a torn meniscus in his right knee, and surgery on Wednesday has sidelined the former Michigan star for the season.
McCarthy had a solid training camp with the Vikings but is expected to start the new season as the backup quarterback to veteran starter Sam Darnold, who signed a one-year, two-year deal with Minnesota in March. Contract worth $10 million.
“I feel the most for JJ,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters after the injury.
“Now he just needs to go through the process so when his time comes he’s healthy and able to take control of this.”
The Vikings suffered a further injury blow ahead of the new season, which starts on Sept. 5, when wide receiver Jordan Addison was carted off the field with an ankle injury during the team’s joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday. .
The wide receiver, who had 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie last season, was treated on the field before being taken off the field for further treatment and evaluation.
However, Vikings head coach O’Connell doesn’t think the injury is too serious, saying: “You don’t want to see that, especially early in practice, but I think he’s going to be fine.
“We’re going to make sure we go through all the processes and get some photos to really understand what it is.”
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