BEREA, Ohio – J.J. McCarthy underwent a full repair of his torn meniscus Wednesday morning.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell provided the update before the start of the team's first joint practice between the Vikings and Browns. McCarthy did not make the trip to Cleveland.
The rookie quarterback, who suffered the injury at some point during Minnesota's first preseason game, will be sidelined for the full 2024 season.
"He did undergo surgery this morning on that meniscus. It was led by our team doctor, Dr. Chris Larson at [Twin Cities Orthopedics]," O'Connell said. "It was a successful procedure, but it did reveal that a repair was necessary, which will end J.J.'s 2024 season."
O'Connell had noted Tuesday the priority placed on McCarthy's long-term health and recovery. He reiterated that message Wednesday, as well as specifying that McCarthy will rehab in Minnesota and continue to be involved with the team's meetings and off-field work.
"Other quarterbacks in our league have gone through similar things early on in their journey and come back stronger and better than ever. And that is not only my expectation, I know that is going to happen for J.J.," O'Connell said. "We'll have a great plan for him, not only in the quarterbacks room with [Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall], but a process so he and I can continue to build our rapport and make sure there's a day-to-day football process.
"But early on, it's going to be about that rehab and the physical aspect of working his way back," he added. "And we expect him to make a full recovery."
O'Connell also emphasized McCarthy's positive attitude and approach to an unfortunate hurdle at the start of his pro career.
"As crushed as I am for our team and the excitement that we had in our building, and our fan base felt the same way – especially after seeing him perform really well the other day at U.S. Bank Stadium – I'm the most crushed for J.J.," O'Connell said. "But as our fans either have already come to find out or will in the future, this guy is so motivated and so dialed in. As excited as I was to draft him, he's confirmed everything that I'd hoped to see – not only on in training camp [but also through his performance last Saturday.
"Everyone should just be excited about the fact that we've got our young franchise quarterback, I believe, in the building," O'Connell added. "Now it's about the unique aspect of continuing a very critical development process for him, where maybe the physical reps aren't gonna be there in the short-term, but this is going to be a small bump in the road."
With McCarthy out of commission, Darnold will retain his No. 1 spot in the QB room. Mullens and Hall also are available, and O'Connell said it's yet to be determined if Minnesota will add another passer.
O'Connell has voiced his utmost confidence in Darnold, who joined the Vikings as a free agent this spring.
"I thought Sam played really well in his 12 plays of work the other day … and that was a continued, pretty consistent performance from what we've seen on the practice field throughout training camp," O'Connell said. "My confidence level in Sam is very, very high at this point."
