EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is undergoing testing related to knee soreness, according to coach Kevin O’Connell. McCarthy reported the injury Monday afternoon, and, out of precaution, the Vikings chose to evaluate the injury further.
McCarthy didn’t practice Monday night at the TCO Performance Center. O’Connell was not ready to assess McCarthy’s availability for joint practices against the Browns, which begin Wednesday in Cleveland.
“He could’ve continued playing (Saturday),” O’Connell said of the team’s preseason victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. “He had a really positive performance. We’re trying to figure out when it happened, but he just came in with some routine soreness that a lot of guys after their first preseason game sometimes come in with. It was something we wanted to be smart about.”
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O’Connell was asked if he had any reason to believe McCarthy’s soreness was anything more than routine.
“At this point,” O’Connell said, “I really don’t.”
McCarthy performed well Saturday, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Vikings had planned 30 snaps for McCarthy, and he played exactly that amount. McCarthy also spoke after the game and was upbeat while answering questions.
On Monday, O’Connell complimented McCarthy’s preseason showing. McCarthy, a 21-year-old rookie who was the 10th pick in the 2024 draft, responded to the early interception with two touchdowns, deep balls to Trishton Jackson and Trent Sherfield Sr.
.@JJettas2 called this @jjmccarthy09 shot before it happened 🤯🤯
📺: @FOX9 | @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/9sPm7329DB
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 10, 2024
O’Connell said the Vikings had projected McCarthy to take more snaps with the No. 1 offense Monday night and in Cleveland.
“Hopefully we can maintain the plans we’ve had for him,” O’Connell said. “He’s done a great job throughout training camp.”
Required reading
• J.J. McCarthy’s meteoric rise to the NFL, and how his parents helped him get there
• J.J. McCarthy’s private QB coach on the biggest challenges facing the Vikings rookie
• Why J.J. McCarthy (and those close to him) saw the Vikings as ‘dream scenario’ in draft
(Photo: Jeffrey Becker / USA Today)
