Locals in the NFL: What does J.J. McCarthy's season-ending injury mean for Jaren Hall, Vikings?

AROUND THE SHIELD — The Minnesota Vikings' quarterback of the future will be on the mend until next season.

J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings' first-round draft pick out of Michigan, underwent a full surgical repair for a torn meniscus Wednesday morning that will sideline him for the 2024 season, head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters following practice in Ohio.

"He did undergo surgery this morning on that meniscus," said O'Connell after the team's first joint practice of the preseason with the Cleveland Browns. "It was a successful procedure, but it did reveal that a repair was necessary, which will end J.J.'s 2024 season."

McCarthy did not make the trip to Cleveland, per the team's website.

Sam Darnold, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Minnesota in March, will retain his spot as starting quarterback after completing 4-of-8 passes for 59 yards in 12 plays of a 24-23 preseason win Saturday over the Las Vegas Raiders.

McCarthy completed 11-of-17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in that win that showed flashes of the Vikings' QB future.

But it was another quarterback — former BYU and Maple Mountain High starter Jaren Hall — who led the Vikings on a game-winning drive at U.S. Bank Stadium that ended with Will Reichard's 38-yard field goal as time expired.

Hall completed 7-of-16 passes for 63 yards in the win, and while his position as the fourth quarterback on the Vikings' roster that also included Nick Mullens was tenuous to start training camp, multiple reports indicate that Minnesota hasn't given up on the former BYU dual-threat standout despite throwing for just 168 yards and an interception in three games as a rookie.

"Except for Ryan Tannehill, the options are scarce on the free agent market," wrote ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler of the Vikings' options at quarterback. "It wouldn't surprise to see the Vikings at least evaluate the outside options, but they have enough talent to sustain without McCarthy."

Broncos claim former BYU DB off waivers

Another former Utah college football standout has made his way to the Mile High City.

The Denver Broncos claimed former BYU cornerback Kaleb Hayes off waivers Monday after the former undrafted free agent who signed with the Jaguars in 2023 was released by the New York Giants.

Hayes, who finished with 19 pass breakups in his final two seasons for the Cougars after transferring from Oregon State, is the eighth player who played college football in the state of Utah on the Broncos' roster, including former Utes Garett Bolles, Tim Patrick, Cody Barton, Jonah Elliss, Devaughn Vele and Thoams Yassmin; and former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson.

Also Monday, the Carolina Panthers placed former Utah State wide receiver Deven Thompkins on injured reserve a day after waiving him with an injury designation for a reported hamstring injury.

Jaylon Johnson a star in latest Hard Knocks

The longstanding HBO program "Hard Knocks" is once again taking training camp by storm, and former Utah defensive back Jaylon Johnson is among the centerpieces.

The 6-foot, 195-pound cornerback from Fresno, California, who signed a four-year, $76 million contract extension with the Bears in March and earned a Pro Bowl nod last year has been featured heavily for his in-camp battle with wide receiver Keenan Allen.

Wins don't come in training camp, but Johnson has been getting the best of Allen quite often.

"I haven't had a catch on him," Allen said on the series. "Something always goes wrong. I don't know what it is. I'm gonna get him though, tomorrow."

"Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears" airs every Tuesday through Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. MDT on HBO and streaming on Max.

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