Vikings' J.J. McCarthy Has Resumed On-Field Training amid Knee Injury Rehab
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZucker
Featured Columnist IVJanuary 16, 2025
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Thursday rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has resumed on-field training.
McCarthy missed the entire 2024 NFL season because of a torn right meniscus. O'Connell said his recovery is generally progressing as expected at this stage:
Ben Goessling @BenGoesslingKevin O'Connell said J.J. McCarthy has returned to on-field training, and is in position to "be right where we hoped he would be at this point." <br><br>O'Connell: "I think he's maximized what this year was for him. I think he's got a level of comfort in our offensive system."
What the Vikings do at the quarterback position in 2025 has become a more intriguing question given how Sam Darnold finished out the year.
Minnesota had the chance to clinch the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the conference in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions. But the team suffered a 31-9 loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions, which Darnold finishing 18-of-41 for 166 yards.
Things didn't get much better in the playoffs. Darnold was sacked nine times to tie a postseason record, and he threw for 245 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 27-9 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. It called to mind his infamous quote about "seeing ghosts" in a 2019 game with the New York Jets.
Heading into Week 18, you would've bet Darnold's return to Minneapolis was more likely than not. Applying the franchise tag, which is worth an estimated $41.3 million in his case, would've been a way to solidify the QB situation without jeopardizing any potential handover to McCarthy down the road.
Now, O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might be wondering how much of Darnold's Pro Bowl season was reflective of his value moving forward. It wouldn't be a complete shock to see the Vikings move on entirely.
If that were to happen, then it would have major implications for McCarthy.
Even in the event Minnesota added a more experienced veteran to the quarterback room, many would view McCarthy as the starter-in-waiting regardless of whether he wins the job for Week 1 or not.
That's why it's imperative for his recovery to continue in the way it apparently has.
