Vikings' Rookie Quarterback J.J. McCarthy to Miss Entire 2024 Season
In a significant blow to the Minnesota Vikings' 2024 campaign, the team announced on Tuesday that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be sidelined for the entire season. This comes after McCarthy underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee, a procedure that was completed on Wednesday.
The turn of events began on Monday when McCarthy reported knee soreness to the team’s medical staff. Erring on the side of caution, the Vikings promptly decided to keep him out of practice. This precautionary measure was taken after McCarthy's promising preseason debut, where he completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards and recorded two touchdowns.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell detailed the team's approach: “Some kind of routine soreness that a lot of guys after their first preseason game sometimes come in with, and it was something we wanted to be smart about.” He added, “Out of precaution, we’re going to continue an evaluation on him and get some more testing done. [He is a] very important player, obviously, so we want to make sure we’re smart before he participates, making sure we have a good understanding of where he’s at.”
McCarthy had been positioned as the No. 2 quarterback behind veteran Sam Darnold throughout the offseason. Darnold, who went 4 of 8 for 59 yards during the recent preseason game, now faces the task of stepping up in McCarthy's absence.
With McCarthy's injury, the Vikings' prospects have dimmed. The team’s total win projection for the season has dropped by half a win, now standing at 6.5 games. Additionally, the Vikings' odds to win the NFC North have decreased by 2.2%, and their chances of making the playoffs have fallen by 4.7%, now standing at 10.3%.
The loss of McCarthy, a player seen as instrumental to the Vikings' long-term plans, isn't the only challenge the team faces. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered late last season. Additionally, wide receiver Jordan Addison is dealing with potential disciplinary action following a DUI arrest earlier this summer.
As the Vikings prepare to navigate these setbacks, much will depend on how they adapt to the shifting dynamics within their roster. While the road ahead is laden with challenges, the team’s resilience and depth will be put to the test as they strive to stay competitive in a fiercely contested NFC North.