Minnesota Vikings quarterback prospect, J.J. McCarthy, has suffered a setback in his rookie season as he is set to miss the entire 2024 campaign due to a torn right meniscus that requires surgery. Head coach Kevin O'Connell announced the news on Wednesday, stating that while the surgery was successful, doctors found that a full repair was necessary, effectively ending McCarthy's debut season.

McCarthy, who was selected as the 10th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft following a national championship campaign with the Michigan Wolverines, had been dealing with knee soreness earlier in training camp. However, further tests revealed the extent of the injury, leading to this unfortunate development.

The young quarterback had been expected to engage in a fierce competition for the starting role with veteran Sam Darnold. Although Darnold had been receiving more reps with the first-team offense in training camp, McCarthy's absence now solidifies Darnold as the clear frontrunner for the Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants.

Despite the setback, McCarthy remained optimistic and posted a message for Vikings fans on X, expressing his love for them and assuring them that he will return soon. The message read, "Love you Viking nation. I'll be back in no time. Amor fati."

McCarthy had shown promise in his brief preseason appearance against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he threw for 188 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. His performance was solid, completing 11 out of 17 passing attempts in the game.

Before joining the NFL, McCarthy had established himself as a reliable quarterback during his time at Michigan. He amassed impressive statistics, throwing 44 touchdowns and only nine interceptions in 29 games. Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is now with the Los Angeles Chargers, McCarthy led Michigan to an undefeated 15-0 record and a national title in their championship season.

Despite the promising start to his professional career, McCarthy now faces an extended period of rehabilitation and recovery from his injury. While he may be sidelined for the 2024 season, he remains committed to learning and growing within the Vikings' system alongside Darnold, who is set to lead the team under center.

The Minnesota Vikings organization and fans eagerly await McCarthy's return in 2025, hoping that he can build upon his potential and contribute to the team's success in the future.