JJ McCarthy Sidelined for Vikings Annual Night Practice

Updated Story: JJ McCarthy Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery

Original Post: After an impressive preseason debut with the Minnesota Vikings over the weekend, knee soreness will reportedly cost JJ McCarthy Monday’s night’s practice, under the lights, at the TCO Performance Center. Instead, he’ll be without pads, on the sidelines, watching his teammates just like the fans in the stands.

Kevin O’Connell said J.J. McCarthy will not participate in the #Vikings’ night practice; he’s dealing with some right knee soreness, O’Connell said, and the team will get more testing.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) August 12, 2024

Minnesota Vikings rookie QB JJ McCarthy is banged up already

This isn’t exactly the news the Vikings fans were hoping for, but it could have been much worse. Fortunately, the soreness shouldn’t sideline him for more than a few days.

Sounds like he should be good to go for scrimmages later this week in Cleveland, and hopefully a preseason game on Saturday… Nonetheless, there is certainly some concern over the severity of this injury, especially if he is unable to travel.

J.J. McCarthy’s knee soreness is clearly a concern and listening to Kevin O’Connell address it you get the feeling that even the Vikings aren’t quite sure about the potential severity. Obviously, the fact he might not travel indicates there is real worry.

— Judd Zulgad (@jzulgad) August 12, 2024

As Vikings fans eagerly waited for a night of events that was previously postponed, the Vikings announced that McCarthy wouldn’t be participating. Patience will have to be a virtue, while we wait for our rookie QB to come along. Early signs, though, indicate that the wait will pay off.

In his first preseason game on Saturday, JJ McCarthy put on an impressive performance, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, including 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

.@JJettas2 called this @jjmccarthy09 shot before it happened 🤯🤯

📺: @FOX9 | @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/9sPm7329DB

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 10, 2024

Related: Drastic Changes Coming to Jordan Addison’s Contract with Vikings, if Suspended

.@jjmccarthy09's throw.

Trishton's catch.@JJettas2's reaction.

Everything about this video is gold.

Absolute gold.

📺: @FOX9 | @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/qVMMx4e5BY

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 10, 2024

As he continues to learn how to be an NFL quarterback, JJ McCarthy will go through learning curves. Ups and downs are to be expected. But all that should be lessened, with the presence of Sam Darnold. That’s why Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah brought him in.

Related: New Name Emerging in Minnesota Vikings RG Battle?

And he looked well worth the investment last night, too. Even if it was only one drive’s worth of clean production. It’s still uncertain what kind of QB JJ McCarthy will be. But that’s part of the fun.

Hopefully, this “injury” is nothing to worry about, like the Vikings are making it sounds. Meanwhile, KOC & Co will practice vs the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday and Thursday. Their preseason game is Saturday, at 3:25 PM.