6 September 2024
It was the preseason opener at U.S. Bank Stadium and the adrenaline was coursing through the veins of Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy. He had waited his whole life for this moment, and while it technically wasn’t the real thing, it might as well have been to him.
The lights certainly weren’t too bright for McCarthy in his unofficial debut as he completed 11 for 17 passes for 188 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The final play for McCarthy was a touchdown pass to veteran receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. It was a perfect way to put a bow on an incredible first impression.
Never mind that it was an exhibition game. It sure looked like the Vikings had found a franchise quarterback at long last.
Though head coach Kevin O’Connell certainly still believes that to be the case, McCarthy won’t play for the Vikings this season. Not after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
“It’s tough,” McCarthy said. “It’s kind of a kick in the balls.”
Not even 24 hours after his performance instilled hope across the fan base, McCarthy felt his right knee buckle while going down the stairs in his home. He told the Vikings about it the following day, and an MRI revealed a torn meniscus. He was stunned.
“I thought at most it could’ve been a strain somewhere,” McCarthy said. “When they told me it’s a pretty serious tear I was taken away by that.”
As he mentally prepared himself for surgery, McCarthy went under the knife knowing there were a couple of different outcomes based on the damage the doctors observed in his right knee. He wouldn’t know the length of the recovery process until he woke up.
“It can be four to six weeks,” McCarthy said. Or, “it can be six to eight months.”
He knew it was the latter as soon as he opened his eyes and noticed the brace on his right leg.
His initial reaction?
“Some profanity I don’t want to say,” McCarthy said. “I was definitely upset.”
Not that McCarthy is going to sit there and feel sorry for himself. He’s a big believer that everything happens for a reason.
“I’m not going to sit here and sulk,” he said. “I’m 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 attacking it each day, and it’s going pretty well.”
As everything heals up, McCarthy isn’t supposed to put any weight on his right leg for six weeks, which explains why he’s been spotted at TCO Performance Center riding a motorized scooter. As for what McCarthy can do, he is focused on learning the offense in a more relaxed setting, while continuing to try to make his presence felt.
The positive attitude with which he is approached the situation has been noticed by his teammates. That should continue to serve McCarthy well as he works his way back to full strength.
“Just grateful for everything that’s happened to me,” he said. “I’m excited to see what the future holds because there’s something special brewing in this building.”
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