Vikings Provide Critical Injury Update on QB J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings QB saga just got more interesting, as NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported a meaningful update to the health of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy. 

McCarthy sustained a knee injury in the summer of 2024 during the first preseason action of his professional career. Not only did the issue sideline him for the entirety of his rookie campaign, it also required two surgeries three months apart to manage. 

However, after months of bad news, the script finally flipped for McCarthy ahead of his second try at a first impression in the NFL. 

"McCarthy, who had a full repair of his torn meniscus in August and an additional procedure in November, is expected to begin football drills in the next few weeks and should be ready to roll by OTAs in May," Rapoport and Pelissero wrote Sunday, Feb. 9.

McCarthy watched from the sidelines as draft peers Bo Nix led the Denver Broncos to the playoffs and Jayden Daniels carried the Washington Commanders to the NFC championship game and won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. 

Caleb Williams had his struggles with the Chicago Bears but still put up north of 3,500 yards passing and 20 TDs in 17 starts, while Drake Maye came on in the second half of the New England Patriots' season and displayed moments of mastery that have provided reasons for optimism in the Northeast. 

Micahel Penix Jr. also eventually took over the starting spot in Atlanta, supplanting former Vikings Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins. 

McCarthy spoke during Super Bowl week about how hungry and anxious he is to get back onto the field and show what he can do. 

“[Let’s] just say it’s a caged animal that’s been climbing uphill for a long time,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy's health update further complicates Minnesota's situation with Sam Darnold, who is expected to garner real interest on the open market from the likes of the Las Vegas Raiders -- and potentially other teams -- if he doesn't extend with the Vikings before then.