On Wednesday, Minnesota Vikings first-round pick J.J. McCarthy underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus. McCarthy suffered the injury in the team’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, and will now be out for the entire 2024 NFL season.
Read more: Vikings QB JJ McCarthy Out for Entire 2024 NFL Season
The injury is a big blow to McCarthy, who was hoping to compete with veteran Sam Darnold to be the starting quarterback for the Vikings. Darnold was in line to be the starter to open the season, but McCarthy was ready to compete and potentially take his spot later this season.
With McCarthy now out for the entire season, Darnold is in line to get a full season’s worth of work as the Vikings starter.
With Darnold as the official QB1 in Minnesota, the biggest question now is what that means for Justin Jefferson and the rest of the Vikings’ weapons in fantasy football.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 14: Jordan Addison #3 and Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings look on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 14, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. How the McCarthy injury impacts Jefferson, Addison, and more.
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JJ McCarthy Injury Impact on Justin Jefferson in Fantasy Football
Jefferson is the best player on the Vikings and one of the most valuable players in fantasy football year in and year out. He’s a consensus first-round pick in fantasy, and for someone like him, it doesn’t matter who his quarterback is.
Jefferson would have been fine with Darnold or McCarthy under center, but Darnold’s experience and big-play potential should actually benefit Jefferson more.
Fantasy managers should not be turned off by Jefferson with the McCarthy update. Jefferson is a first-round pick and could easily finish the season as fantasy’s WR1.
More news: Fantasy Football Rankings — Top 10 Wide Receivers for 2024 NFL Season
JJ McCarthy Injury Impact on Jordan Addison in Fantasy Football
Addison may not have the same name value as Jefferson, but the Vikings’ first-round pick had a breakout season in 2023. Addison secured 70 catches for 911 yards and two touchdowns and had at least seven targets in eight games last season.
Addison did struggle in the second half of the season with the revolving door at quarterback. Like Jefferson, though, Addison will benefit from Darnold’s ability to air it out and connect on the big play.
Addison is currently being selected as WR40 on average in drafts. The fact that he should have the same quarterback all year should only benefit the second-year receiver.
JJ McCarthy Injury Impact on Aaron Jones in Fantasy Football
The only player who potentially suffers from the McCarthy injury news is the team’s running back. Jones signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings after spending the last seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Jones has been a great safety valve his entire career and would have been the perfect checkdown option for a rookie quarterback trying to get used to the NFL game.
With Darnold under center, the Vikings will likely feel more confident to air the ball out, which could limit Jones’ touches.
Jones is currently being drafted as RB18 on average. He could see his value drop a few spots with Darnold now the guy all year long.
More news: Fantasy Football Rankings — Top 10 Running Backs for 2024
