JJ McCarthy is OUT for the entire NFL season after Vikings' rookie QB had surgery to repair a torn meniscus
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Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy will miss his entire rookie season after undergoing surgery on a knee problem.
It was initially thought that the 21-year-old would only sit on the sidelines for the opening few weeks of the NFL season after a suffering a cartilage tear in his right knee.
But on Wednesday, Minnesota confirmed that McCarthy required a full meniscus repair and will now be out for the whole of the 2024 season.
The quarterback was selected by Minnesota with the 10th overall pick of the 2024 draft but Sam Darnold is now set to be the Vikings' starter.
The Vikings kick off their 2024 campaign against the New York Giants on September 8, ahead of games against the 49ers, the Texans, the Packers, and the Jets.
Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy is expected to miss his entire rookie season after surgery
The 10th overall pick, pictured with his fiancee Katya Kuropas, required a full meniscus repair
McCarthy entered the draft after leading Michigan to the national championship under Jim Harbaugh, who now coaches the Los Angeles Chargers.
He was one of five quarterbacks selected with the first 10 picks, after Caleb Williams (Bears), Jayden Daniels (Commanders), Drake Maye (Patriots) and Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons).
But the 21-year-old will now have to wait for his NFL debut after the extent of his injury became clear.
'Love you Viking nation. I’ll be back in no time,' McCarthy wrote on social media after news of his surgery was confirmed on Tuesday.
Darnold, meanwhile, was selected with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft.
Sam Darnold is set to be the Vikings' starter for the new season, which kicks off in September
McCarthy entered the draft after leading Michigan to the national championship
It was another star-studded class that saw Baker Mayfield (Browns), Josh Allen (Bills) and Lamar Jackson (Ravens) selected in the first round.
Darnold joined the New York Jets, where he remained until 2021.
He was then traded the Carolina Panthers before choosing to sign a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
The 27-year-old was the back-up to Brock Purdy as Kyle Shanahan's team reached the Super Bowl, where they were beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs.
