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Kevin Seifert, ESPN writer
EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy underwent a second surgery earlier this week on his right knee as he continues to recover from a torn meniscus, a source confirmed Tuesday to ESPN.
Sources described this week’s procedure as a biological injection intended to treat swelling in the knee that developed after increased activity during the rehabilitation process. Doctors found no other concerns and there have been no changes to McCarthy’s recovery schedule, sources said, meaning he remains on track to return for the 2025 season.
McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, missed the entire season after suffering the injury during his preseason debut on Aug. 10. He underwent initial surgery on August 14 and spent most of the next six weeks with his leg immobilized. In his only public comments on the injury, McCarthy said on September 6 that he was “extremely surprised” to learn that the injury would end his rookie season. Neither he nor the team have been able to specify the exact play in which it occurred.
McCarthy has been participating in team meetings and, more recently, has been watching games from the sideline. He said in September that his goal was to “solidify what it’s like to get through the week and with the benefit of having no pressure to perform on Sunday.”
He added: “So by the time I play, whenever that may be, next year, the year after that, whenever that may be, I’ll be ready, and it won’t be like this is my first game.”
Veteran Sam Darnold has started all nine of the Vikings’ games this season while playing on a one-year, $10 million contract.
Coach Kevin O’Connell said in August that McCarthy had done enough in training camp to show that “I think we have our young franchise quarterback in the building.”
O’Connell’s comments made McCarthy the favorite to open the 2025 season as the Vikings’ starter.
