The Minnesota Vikings will likely be starting a veteran when Week One rolls around in about a month.
With J.J. McCarthy on the mend with a torn meniscus, it means Sam Darnold will likely start the Vikings’ first game of the regular season.
Sam Darnold, the presumptive starter prior to training camp anyway, is in line to start Week 1 regardless of which procedure JJ McCarthy gets. https://t.co/koVHkVdfDH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2024
Darnold has bounced around to a few teams since being drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018. He spent three seasons with the Jets before spending the next two with the Carolina Panthers.
He was then with the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season before landing with the Vikings for this season.
Darnold has appeared in 66 games, completing 59.7% of his passes for 12,064 yards, 63 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions.
So far, his best individual season was in 2019, compiling 3,024 yards through the air and 19 touchdowns.
Darnold will likely play until McCarthy is fully healthy but nobody knows when exactly that will be. The Vikings took McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after he helped Michigan win the College Football Playoff last season.
He’ll make his NFL debut this season but it just won’t be right away.
The Vikings will play the New York Giants in their first regular season game on September 8. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m. ET.
Related: Vikings Rookie QB J.J. McCarthy Could Be Out For A While