Vikings Rookie QB JJ McCarthy to Miss 2024 Season

Minnesota Vikings rookie and first-round draft pick, J.J. McCarthy, is out for the season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during his first preseason game.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced in a Wednesday press conference that McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 season due to the injury.

“It was a successful procedure,” O’Connell said. “However, it revealed that a full repair was necessary, which unfortunately ends J.J.’s season.”

O’Connell expressed his disappointment, stating he was devastated for the 21st overall pick.

McCarthy, who led the Michigan Wolverines to the National Championship last season, underwent surgery on Wednesday. The procedure revealed that a full meniscus repair was required, rather than a simple trim, ending McCarthy’s rookie season after just one preseason appearance.

In that first game, McCarthy looked promising, throwing for 188 yards and two touchdowns.

The Vikings moved on from veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in the offseason, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons after dealing with injuries last season.

With McCarthy out, Sam Darnold is expected to take first-team reps, with Jaren Hall and Nick Mullins also in the mix.

During his time at Michigan, McCarthy completed a Big Ten-leading 72.3% of his passes in 2023 and ranked in the top five in the conference for passing yards, touchdowns, and yards per attempt. Over three seasons with the Wolverines, he played in 40 games, throwing for 6,226 yards and rushing for over 600 yards and 10 touchdowns.