JJ McCarthy has featured for the Vikings just once in the 2024 season, with the quarterback suffering from a long-term knee issue.
After feeling discomfort due to an apparent bruise back in the summer, the 21-year-old underwent surgery to repair what turned out to be a serious meniscus tear.
“Extremely shocked” were the words McCarthy chose to use when asked how he reacted to the news of his season-ending issue. “I thought it was a bruise. I thought at most it could’ve been a strain somewhere. But when they told me it’s a pretty serious tear, yeah, I was taken away by that.”
When will JJ McCarthy return from injury?
And so, after just one game – in which he impressed, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards and getting two touchdowns – McCarthy’s season was over. The option to trim the meniscus instead of a full repair was hoped for, but never a real option for doctors given the damage.
A second surgery came in November after swelling refused to go away, with the already long-term recovery period being extended. “It’s tough”, the player admitted. “It’s kind of a kick in the balls, but you take everything that life throws at you and you find the positive it, good or bad.
“I feel like I’ve been able to gain those deeper connections with my teammates and really take a step back and learn the offense, you know, in a more relaxed state of mind. I’m just appreciating every moment”, McCarthy reflected.
The hope from the Vikings’ medical staff is that McCarthy will be healthy and return to the field when the 2025 offseason program gets going in April.
In his place stood Sam Darnold, who has performed admirably. A veteran of the game, Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-2 record while throwing for 4,153 yards and 35 touchdowns across the campaign.
WATCH: Vikings vs Rams | Wild Card Game | Jan. 13, 8pm ET
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The Wild Card game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams will be played on Monday January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium, with kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. In the US, FOX will be streaming the game. You can also watch the Vikings vs the Rams live on fubo, which has a free trial.
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