J.J. McCarthy realized that the presence or absence of a brace on his right leg when he woke up from knee surgery would tell him a lot about his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings.
When he found out he faced a six-to-eight-month rehab instead of a four-to-six-week recovery, he reacted with some frustration.
“I was definitely upset, that’s for sure,” McCarthy said.
However, in less than three weeks, McCarthy is expected to remove the brace and start walking again. Despite the challenge, his usual optimism has helped him stay focused on the present and future, rather than dwelling on what can’t be changed.
“You take everything that life throws at you, and you find the positives in it, good or bad,” McCarthy said Friday in his first interview with reporters since his surgery on August 14. The surgery was for a medial and radial tear of his meniscus, requiring a full repair and a longer recovery period.
“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 in a more relaxed state of mind. I’m just appreciating every moment.”
McCarthy’s meditation practices from his senior year at IMG Academy in Florida, which helped him during the pandemic’s isolation, have continued to support his mental health.
His fiancée, the team’s medical staff, his coaches, and his teammates have been great sources of support. He’s also reading three books on humanity, spirituality, and self-improvement.
“I’m not going to sit here and sulk and think about, ‘Woe is me,’ and think about the past,” McCarthy said. “I’m just going to focus on ways that I can be better in other parts of my life.
That’s what I’ve been doing, and I’ve seen a lot of growth in a lot of different areas. I’m just tackling it each day, and it’s going pretty well.”
According to research by Sportradar, McCarthy will be the first quarterback drafted in the first round since 1967 who won’t play in his rookie season due to injury.
There have been seven other first-round quarterbacks who didn’t play their rookie season, but for reasons like needing more development or team depth: Jordan Love (2020, Green Bay), Jason Campbell (2005, Washington), Carson Palmer (2003, Cincinnati), Kelly Stouffer (1987, St. Louis), Ken O’Brien (1983, New York Jets), Jim Kelly (1983, Buffalo), and Steve Pisarkiewicz (1977, St. Louis).
McCarthy couldn’t identify a specific play in Minnesota’s preseason game against Las Vegas on August 10 when his injury might have happened.
He only felt discomfort the next day, when his knee gave out while going down the stairs at his home. An MRI the following day revealed the meniscal tears, which was a shock to him as he had thought it was just a bruise.
Although it’s disappointing to miss his rookie season, McCarthy, who is only 21, understands that the longer surgery will be better for his long-term health.
“Let’s figure this out before a landmine goes off in my knee,” he said.
The Vikings have provided McCarthy with video from starter Sam Darnold’s perspective during practice, which he can watch using a virtual reality simulator. This helps him learn the offense as much as possible without being on the field.
He’s been using a cart to get around the training facility for safety, but he accidentally backed into a doorframe in coach Kevin O’Connell’s office.
“Little paint chip,” he said. “Nothing serious.” Despite this, there’s a lot more to admire about McCarthy than just his careful movement.
“The mindset toward the long-term growth and the goals that we have for him, those are all still in play,” O’Connell said. “I just love his attitude. I love the way he doesn’t feel sorry for himself.”
