Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy had a second procedure as he continues to recover from a torn meniscus, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed on Wednesday.
McCarthy had some swelling in his knee during rehab, but there are no new concerns, and his recovery timeline is still on track.
“He’s really knocked it out of the park every step of the way,” O’Connell said about McCarthy’s progress in rehab. “He’s been doing everything we asked of him.”
It’s not clear exactly when McCarthy injured his meniscus, but he didn’t feel it until after the first preseason game.
“The adrenaline was flowing so much throughout that 60 minutes, even when I was not playing, I really didn’t feel it until the next day, when my knee started to buckle going down the stairs and I was like, ‘I should get this checked out,'” McCarthy explained.
Sam Darnold has been the starter since the season opener against the Giants. While the team has stayed competitive, there have been questions and concerns after Darnold threw three interceptions in a tough game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In his only preseason appearance this year, McCarthy completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Vikings fans will have to wait until the 2025-2026 season to see what the 27-1 collegiate starter can do when fully healthy.
