J.J. McCarthy to miss Vikings practice due to knee soreness

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will not practice on Monday due to knee soreness, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced.

McCarthy played in the Vikings preseason opener over the weekend, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The former Michigan QB carried the ball twice for 18 yards during the 24-23 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

His status for Saturday’s road trip against the Cleveland Browns remains to be seen.

While his numbers were more than serviceable by the end of the game, it wasn’t the best start for McCarthy, who entered the game on the second series and threw an interception by his third pass. He ended the first half without any touchdowns as the Vikings trailed 20-7 at the break.

However, the Michigan product would pick things up in the second half to help get his team back in the game. He quickly led the Vikings on a touchdown drive to open the third quarter, connecting with Trishton Jackson on a 45-yard score that fell into the receivers hands in stride.

McCarthy scored again on the very next drive when he found Trent Sherfield for a 33-yard touchdown. That gave Minnesota its first lead of the game and would end McCarthy’s day as Jaren Hall entered to close out the fourth quarter. Minnesota would lock in to win 24-23 following a game-winning field goal from rookie kicker Will Reichard as time expired.

McCarthy, who is coming of a national championship-winning season at Michigan last year, appears to have his work cut out for him when it comes to the quarterback battle in Minnesota. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, quarterback Sam Darnold is looking like the Week 1 starter for the Vikings as training camp ramps up.

During his final season in college, McCarthy started all 15 games for the Wolverines, tallying 2,991 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions. The 6-foot-3 junior also compiled 202 yards and three scores on the ground.

Fueled by McCarthy’s excellent play behind center, Michigan reeled in its first national title since 1997. For his efforts, McCarthy was named the Griese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist.

With or without McCarthy on the field, however, the Vikings second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns will proceed with a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff and will air live on NFL+.