Cardinals Won't Play vs Top Pick This Season

J.J. McCarthy won't be suiting up for the Minnesota Vikings when they host the Arizona Cardinals.

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) under center 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

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals are set to battle the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.

The Cardinals hope to still have quarterback Kyler Murray upright and healthy at that point - though the Vikings know they won't have their projected starter.

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport first reported first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy had full meniscus surgery and is out for the entire 2024 season.

#Vikings first-round QB JJ McCarthy underwent a full meniscus repair this morning and is out for the 2024 season, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.

The repair, done by Dr. Chris Larson at Twin Cities Orthopedics, gives McCarthy the best chance at a long, successful career. pic.twitter.com/t5e5LCvpwU

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 14, 2024

There were rumors during the 2024 NFL Draft that Arizona would look to move off their No. 4 pick to trade with a quarterback-needy team. The Cardinals ultimately stayed and drafted Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. while McCarthy was taken at No. 10 by Minnesota.

McCarthy looked fairly strong in his preseason debut with the Vikings, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

J.J. McCarthy to Trishton Jackson for the 45 yard TD!

And @JJettas2 LOVES it!

📺: #LVvsMIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QmEKsnabMz

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

McCarthy was projected to be a serious contender for the starting job in Minnesota - though Sam Darnold is now in the driver's seat after signing with the organization this offseason.

Darnold - previously with NFC West rivals in San Francisco - has a career 2-0 record against the Cardinals, though one game he didn't play in and another he completed two-of-three passes in a blowout win for the 49ers.

There was plenty of hope for McCarthy to help propel Minnesota's post-Kirk Cousins era, though that will now have to wait another season.