JJ McCarthy injury update: Vikings QB undergoes second surgery on knee, per report

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy had a second surgery on his right knee this week to address swelling that developed after participating in rehab activity, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. As part of the procedure, McCarthy was given a biologic injection.

McCarthy tore his meniscus in his right knee during the Vikings’ preseason opener. He wasn’t expected to start the regular season as Sam Darnold was named the starter. Through the Vikings’ first nine games, Darnold has led the Vikings to a 7-2 record.

On Wednesday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed McCarthy’s second knee surgery. “As his kind of rehab has picked up, we noticed a little swelling in there,” he said. “With just the time that we do have, he’s been doing everything we asked of him and improving, getting stronger, all those things.

“We just wanted to make sure that there was no cause for concern, and all reports were very positive. He’s on the original timeline, in good shape. I’ve just enjoyed as his rehab has progressed, he can be in meetings and spend a little more time with us. It’s been some real growth for him, continues to ask great questions every day. …That’s the hardest part, the ability to do a little bit more and start pushing through those final stages over these next few weeks. Feel really good about where he’s at.”

JJ McCarthy is expected to be the Vikings’ next franchise quarterback

McCarthy was selected No. 10 overall by the Vikings in this year’s draft. He joins Minnesota after leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship in 2023. McCarthy is expected to be the Vikings’ franchise quarterback after the team had Kirk Cousins under center from 2018 to 2023.

“Everyone should just be excited about the fact that we’ve got our young franchise quarterback, I believe, in the building,” O’Connell said after McCarthy’s initial injury in August, per the Vikings’ official website. “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.”