(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings were dealt a huge blow when rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy tore the meniscus in his right knee, ending his 2024 season before it even started.
It was a massive stroke of bad fortune for a team that features plenty of offensive firepower and was hoping to get back to the playoffs after missing them last season.
This means Sam Darnold, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft but has been a disappointment so far in his career, will be their starter under center.
The Vikings officially ended McCarthy’s rookie season by placing him on injured reserve but added a bit of depth to their quarterback room by signing Matt Corral.
The #Vikings have signed QB Matt Corral and placed QB J.J. McCarthy on IR. pic.twitter.com/FgYh4Q4rxs
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 16, 2024
Corral played at the University of Mississippi, where he became the starter in his sophomore season and threw for 3,337 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the team to a win in the Outback Bowl.
The following year, he took them to the Sugar Bowl, only to suffer a serious leg injury there.
Despite that, Corral was a third-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, he was forced to sit out his entire rookie year because of a Lisfranc injury, and last offseason, the New England Patriots signed him, only to release him a few weeks later.
He ended up playing for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL) in 2024.
According to ESPN.com, Corral is fourth on Minnesota’s depth chart, behind Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens, who is now slated to be Darnold’s backup.
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