Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy Injury the Latest in a Concerning Trend
Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy missing the entire 2024 season due to meniscus surgery is all too painfully familiar for the Minnesota Vikings.
He became the third Vikings first-round draft-pick quarterback since 2005 to deal with a knee injury and miss significant time. Daunte Culpepper, the No. 11 pick in 1999, became the first 19 years ago when he shredded his knee and missed the rest of the 2005 season. Teddy Bridgewater, the No. 32 pick in 2014, sustained a catastrophic knee injury in 2016 and missed almost two seasons.
Culpepper had the most single-season passing yards record before his 2005 injury amid a future full of promise as a three-time Pro Bowler. Bridgewater came off of a Pro Bowl season in 2015 and looked to take the next step with the new U.S. Bank Stadium opening at the time.
Neither quarterback returned to the field with the Vikings the same and eventually landed with different teams. Ironically, both had stints with two of the same teams, the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins, before their once-promising careers ended.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and company want to flip that script with McCarthy, the No. 10 pick out of Michigan in this year’s NFL Draft. While O’Connell said he’s “crushed” over McCarthy’s injury, he sees better things ahead for the former Wolverine and national champion in the NFL.