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UPDATED: J.J. McCarthy's Rookie of the Year Odds Plummet Following Reported Knee Surgery

J.J. McCarthy's rookie season has been derailed due to a torn meniscus.

Reed Wallach

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) takes the snap against the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) takes the snap against the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE: The Vikings announced rookie QB J.J. McCarthy is out for the entire 2024 season after undergoing a full meniscus repair surgery. What follows is the original report noting McCarthy moved from +2000 to +4000 to win NFL Rookie of the Year at DraftKings Sportsbook. His odds are no longer on the board.

Injury news has trickled out in the wake of the opening slate of preseason games, and the Minnesota Vikings received some devastating news for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy will undergo knee surgery that could cost him part of his rookie season in Minnesota.

The first-round pick out of Michigan was expected to backup Sam Darnold to start the season, but a promising preseason debut had several speculating that the transition to him could be sooner than expected.

Now, McCarthy will likely start the season on the shelf, and the impact has been felt quickly in the betting market.

Depending upon the type of surgery that McCarthy has, he could miss weeks or months for the Vikings.

If the rookie misses months, it would almost certainly end any chance for him to win the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award in the 2024 season.

Betting Impact of J.J. McCarthy's Injury

While McCarthy could be ready ahead of Week 1, he was expected to start the season as QB2 behind Darnold and this injury could push any chance of starting even more.

The betting market shifted quickly in the wake of the news as the Michigan product moved from +2000 to +4000 to win NFL Rookie of the Year at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Not only is that a massive drop off, but McCarthy is now behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Bo Nix, Xavier Worthy, Keon Coleman, Drake Maye and Ladd McConkey.

He was previously in a battle with Nix for the third-best odds amongst the quarterbacks drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

McCarthy's injury may also cap the upside of the Vikings, who remained the fourth choice to win the NFC North, but now are seen as a longshot.

Minnesota went from +400 to +950 at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the NFC North, the difference between an implied probability of 20% and 9.52%.

However, on the win total front, Minnesota remains at 7.5 wins at FanDuel, likely because Darnold was still expected to start early on -- at least -- in the 2024 season.

We'll see how the Vikings handle the rehab of McCarthy's knee and when he can get on the field, but hopes of him contending for the starting quarterback job are now on hold on this news and Darnold is the clear choice.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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Reed Wallach

REED WALLACH

Reed is a Senior Editor at SI Betting. He grew up in New Jersey and graduated from the University of Wisconsin. His passion lies with the Brooklyn Nets, but is always hunting for an edge.

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