It looks like Sam Darnold will get the chance to confront his MetLife Stadium ghosts to open the NFL season.
Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is set for knee surgery to fix a torn meniscus, and the extent of damage the surgery reveals will determine just how long he’ll be out of action.
“That’s totally, totally a medical decision,” O’Connell said of the surgery. “Certainly, what’s best for the long-term health of J.J. McCarthy will be the priority. I don’t have that answer and really won’t be a part of determining that answer.
The No. 10 overall pick, who suffered the injury during his preseason debut on Saturday and reported knee soreness to the training staff on Monday, would be out for just a few weeks if the meniscus needs a trim, but a full repair could potentially keep him out the entire season.
Regardless of the surgery outcome, McCarthy being sidelined ostensibly means the ex-Jet Darnold will be the Vikings starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Giants in East Rutherford.
“Love you Viking nation. I’ll be back in no time. Amor fati,” McCarthy posted Tuesday on X.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday that the type of surgery will be a “medical decision” and that McCarthy’s long-term health will be prioritized.
“We felt strongly about where he was at in his development process, so really you hurt for him just in the short term here because he had such a daily process, focus, all those things that I was really looking for in a young player at the position,” O’Connell said. “I think all of us will be staying optimistic that it hopefully is the shorter term.”
The 21-year-old went 11-for-17 with 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, along with two rushes for 18 yards, during the Vikings’ win against the Raiders.
The Vikings pivoted at quarterback during the offseason with Kirk Cousins bolting for the Falcons, who gave the 35-year-old a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed — only to draft Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in a decision that blindsided Cousins.
Minnesota drafted McCarthy two picks later after trading up with the Jets, pairing him with Darnold, whom they signed to a one-year, $10 million contract.
Darnold, 27, had an ugly three-year stint with the Jets after he was taken No. 3 overall in the 2018 draft, and he had an unremarkable two-year run with the Panthers before serving as a backup for the 49ers last year.
“Sam’s had a really good camp, and my confidence level in Sam is very, very high at this point,” O’Connell said. “I’m looking forward to seeing him continue his progression.”
The Vikings took a step back in O’Connell’s second season, going 7-10 last year after winning the NFC North in his first year, which ended with a wild-card loss to the Giants.
