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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy joined the team on its West Coast road trip for a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer.
Breer reported this the first time McCarthy traveled with the team since undergoing season-ending knee surgery.
"He went out to dinner in L.A. with the quarterbacks Wednesday night and was on the headset on the sideline Thursday night," Breer wrote. "He'll be with the team going forward, but most of his focus is still on rehab. He's building strength back now and isn't yet at the point where it's 50-50 rehab-to-football work, but he's getting there."
The Vikings placed McCarthy on injured reserve on Aug. 16 due to a torn meniscus.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported on Sept. 7 that Minnesota has "a comprehensive player development plan in place" for McCarthy as he recovers from surgery. Russini added that Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell "is making it a priority to get at least an hour of one-on-one time with his QB of the future every week throughout the season."
The No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, McCarthy suffered the injury at an undetermined point during his impressive preseason debut for Minnesota on Aug. 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He showed no signs of being hampered as he completed 11 of his 17 passes for 118 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also scrambled twice for 18 yards.
After experiencing knee soreness the next day, McCarthy informed the Vikings medical staff and underwent an MRI that determined surgery was needed. The surgery revealed that a full repair was required, forcing him to become the first first-round quarterback in the modern draft era to miss his entire rookie season due to an injury, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert.
The Vikings signed quarterback Matt Corral, a 2022 third-round pick by the Carolina Panthers, after placing McCarthy on IR. Corral was later waived and replaced by veteran backup Brett Rypien, who joined a quarterback room that also included Nick Mullens and Sam Darnold, the latter of whom was named Minnesota's starter for the 2024 season after McCarthy's injury.
Darnold has thrived under O'Connell, leading the Vikings to a 5-2 start to the 2024 season and throwing for 1,610 yards and 14 touchdowns.
While McCarthy is set to spend his rookie year on the sidelines, the Vikings hope he will be ready to bounce back and lead the team in 2025.
