Fans often wonder what happened to jj mccarthy after his sudden absence from the Minnesota Vikings lineup. He tore his meniscus during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
This post breaks down the injury details, his recovery steps, and what it means for his rookie season. Keep reading for the full story.
Key Takeaways
- J.J. McCarthy tore his right meniscus in a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 10, 2024, as the No. 10 pick in the NFL Draft.
- He had surgery to repair the torn meniscus on August 14, 2024, and a second procedure for swelling on November 13, 2024.
- McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 NFL season and aims to return in 2025, with rehab milestones like strength building in weeks 2-3 and throwing at 8 weeks.
- Sam Darnold starts as quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, with Nick Mullens as backup, under Coach Kevin O’Connell.
- This makes McCarthy the first top-10 drafted quarterback in the Super Bowl era to miss his full rookie season.
Type of injury sustained
J.J. McCarthy tore his right meniscus. This knee injury hit the Minnesota Vikings’ rookie quarterback hard. A young star like him, fresh from the NFL Draft as the No. 10 overall pick, faces a setback right in training camp.
The torn meniscus needed a full repair, no shortcuts here. Kevin O’Connell, the head coach, shared the news after a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Doctors confirmed the tear in his right knee. It happened during that game, a real bummer for fans of the Michigan Wolverines standout. McCarthy, who led his team to a national championship, now deals with this.
The injury means swelling and pain, but a full repair aims to fix it right. Sam Darnold steps up as starter, while Nick Mullens waits in the wings.
When and how the injury occurred
Fans, envision J.J. McCarthy stepping onto the field for his big debut with the Minnesota Vikings. He faced the Las Vegas Raiders in that first preseason game. The date was August 10, 2024.
Excitement buzzed in the air, like a rookie quarterback chasing his NFL dream. McCarthy threw passes, ran plays, showed promise. Then, trouble hit. He felt pain in his knee during a routine scramble.
Doctors later confirmed a torn meniscus. Ouch, right? That twist of fate came mid-game, cutting short his rookie season start. The Vikings watched their No. 10 draft pick limp off, hearts sinking.
Kevin O’Connell, the coach, called it a tough break for the team.
McCarthy had impressed in training camp before this setback. He competed with Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens for the starting spot. Kirk Cousins had left for the Atlanta Falcons, leaving a gap.
Now, this injury from the Raiders matchup changed everything. Imagine the sting, like a promising drive halted by a penalty flag. Recovery loomed, but first, the how: it stemmed from that awkward plant on the turf.
No big hit, just bad luck in the heat of action. The Vikings placed him on injured reserve soon after. His path mirrored other young guns, like those from Michigan football facing early hurdles.
Medical Procedures Undertaken
Doctors fixed J.J. McCarthy’s torn meniscus with a key operation right after his preseason game. They followed up with another step to cut down the swelling, keeping his knee on track for a solid comeback.
Initial surgery to repair the torn meniscus
J.J. McCarthy faced a tough blow with his torn meniscus. Surgeons fixed it right up on August 14, 2024. They called the operation a success, no big surprises there. Imagine, this rookie quarterback from the Minnesota Vikings, fresh off the NFL Draft as the No.
10 pick, hits a snag like this. The team stayed positive, though.
Recovery started strong after that first procedure. McCarthy, you know, the guy who shone in the college football playoff with Michigan, now deals with rehab basics. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell shared updates, keeping fans in the loop.
It’s like patching up a star player before the big game against the Las Vegas Raiders in preseason. Hang in there, J.J.; we’re rooting for you.
Secondary procedure to address swelling
Doctors performed a second minor procedure on J.J. McCarthy on November 13, 2024. This nonsurgical step fixed swelling in his knee. The issue came from his torn meniscus. Fans, you know how these things can linger like an unwelcome guest at a party.
McCarthy stayed with the Minnesota Vikings through it all. His rookie season hit this bump after a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The procedure did not change his recovery timeline. Think of it as a quick tune-up, not a major overhaul. Team coach Kevin O’Connell shared the news. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the NFL Draft, pushes forward.
Sam Darnold steps in at quarterback for now. Swelling gone, he focuses on rehab milestones.
Recovery Timeline
Doctors expect J.J. Mc.
Expected duration of recovery
J.J. McCarthy faces a full sit-out for the 2024 NFL season, folks. His torn meniscus knocked him down hard, like a quarterback sack you didn’t see coming. Recovery looks solid, with doctors eyeing a strong comeback in 2025.
Imagine waiting through winter for spring football, that’s the vibe here. The Minnesota Vikings keep tabs on his progress, step by step.
Key milestones include light training camp drills by early next year. Sam Darnold steps up as starter now, but McCarthy’s rookie quarterback fire waits for that green light. Think of it as a long hike back to the field, one steady pace at a time.
No rush, just smart moves to avoid setbacks.
Key milestones in the rehabilitation process
Fans, you care about J.J. McCarthy’s path back to the field after his torn meniscus. His rehab focuses on steady progress, like climbing a ladder one rung at a time, while he keeps sharp with the Minnesota Vikings.
- First milestone hits right after surgery, when J.J. McCarthy starts light exercises to cut down swelling, much like easing into a jog after a long sit. Docs check his knee daily, and he missed practice on August 12, 2024, due to that knee soreness, but he pushed through by attending team meetings.
- Next up, he begins strength building around week two or three, targeting those leg muscles to support his rookie quarterback role, the No. 10 overall pick from the NFL Draft. See him grinding like Tom Brady in his early days, focusing on learning the offense during rehabilitation, even as he eyes games against teams like the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Midway, say four to six weeks in, J.J. hits mobility drills, testing that repaired meniscus with controlled moves, kinda like a careful dance to avoid slips. He keeps his head in the game, drawing from his Michigan Wolverines days in the Big Ten Championship, and chats with coach Kevin O’Connell about strategies involving Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens.
- Big step comes at eight weeks, when he ramps up to throwing sessions, building arm strength while protecting the knee, almost like revving an engine without flooring the gas. This ties into his quarterback development, inspired by folks like Aaron Rodgers, and he stays engaged in meetings, learning plays that could shift the Vikings’ roster if he’s on injured reserve.
- Final push, around 10 to 12 weeks, involves full practice returns, simulating preseason game vibes against foes like the Michigan State Spartans or UNLV. He focuses on avoiding interceptions, boosting his quarterback rating, and drawing from mentors like Jim Harbaugh, all while managing that knee to dodge long-term effects on his career.
Impact on the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings, oh man, they had to pivot fast when J.J. McCarthy went down with that torn meniscus, turning to Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback while Nick Mullens steps up as backup.
This shake-up, like a plot twist in a thriller, forces coach Kevin O’Connell to tweak plays and rethink strategies, but hey, it might just build McCarthy’s grit for a stronger.
Changes to the team’s roster and strategy
Sam Darnold steps in as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 season. He fills the gap left by Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
The team drafted J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the NFL draft. Now, his torn meniscus from the preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders changes everything. Coach Kevin O’Connell shifts focus to Darnold’s experience.
Backup Nick Mullens stays ready, too.
This shake-up hits the rookie quarterback’s development hard. Imagine a young gun like McCarthy, fresh from training camp, sidelined on injured reserve. The Vikings tweak their strategy, leaning on proven arms to push through the season.
They aim to build around Darnold, while eyeing McCarthy’s injury recovery for the long haul. It’s like swapping a new engine for an old reliable one, just to keep the car running smooth.
Potential long-term effects on McCarthy’s career
J.J. McCarthy’s torn meniscus has sidelined him for his entire rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings. This makes him the first top 10 drafted quarterback in the Super Bowl era to miss that key year, a tough break for the 10th pick from the NFL Draft.
Fans feel the sting, like watching a promising racehorse pull up lame right out of the gate. His injury recovery might slow early quarterback development, but think of it as a detour, not a dead end.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell stays positive about McCarthy’s future. He praises the young player’s growth during training camp, even amid setbacks. Long-term, this could build McCarthy’s grit, much like how a quarterback learns from tough hits.
The Vikings see him as their future star, ready to shine past this hurdle.
Takeaways
Fans cheer for McCarthy’s quick return, but his torn meniscus stole his rookie spotlight with the Vikings. Sam Darnold steps up as starter, giving the young quarterback time to heal and study the game like a hawk.
Recovery stays on track for 2025, turning this setback into a secret weapon for his future plays.
