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Kevin Seifert, ESPN Staff Writer
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Tuesday that McCarthy needs the surgery but said the team does not have a timeline for how long he will be sidelined.
A decision will be made at the time of the operation whether McCarthy’s meniscus requires a trimming or a complete repair, which will determine the length of his recovery.
McCarthy complained about knee soreness over the weekend and underwent an MRI on Monday night. With the No. 10 overall draft selection sidelined, Sam Darnold now is squarely in line to be the Vikings’ Week 1 starting quarterback.
The Vikings drafted McCarthy earlier this year after parting ways with incumbent Kirk Cousins, who joined the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
McCarthy had made progress since an uneven performance in spring OTAs and minicamp, but he remained in Minnesota during the early part of the summer to refine a set of adjusted footwork and other mechanical changes the team had recommended.
McCarthy maintained a steady approach throughout training camp over to his preseason debut, when he replaced Darnold after one series against the Las Vegas Raiders. The game began inauspiciously when McCarthy threw an interception to end his first series, but he rallied to throw touchdown passes of 45 and 33 yards in the third quarter, finishing the day with 11 completions in 17 attempts for 188 yards.
The other quarterbacks on Minnesota’s roster are Jaren Hall, who replaced McCarthy under center for the Vikings’ final five possessions against the Raiders, and longtime veteran Nick Mullens.