49ers' showdown vs. Vikings just got more personal after J.J. McCarthy injury

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is out indefinitely with an injury, meaning Sam Darnold will start against the 49ers in Week 2.

The San Francisco 49ers knew they had a chance to square off with their backup quarterback, Sam Darnold, this upcoming season when they visit the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2.

After all, despite the Norsemen using the No. 10 overall pick in last April's NFL Draft on former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, there were signs Darnold would at least begin the year as Minnesota's starter until the rookie was up to par.

Now, it appears as if Darnold is the only legitimate option the Vikings have to square off against the Niners.

J.J. McCarthy out indefinitely with knee injury, Sam Darnold likely to face 49ers

As reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the rookie signal-caller was dealing with knee soreness and will undergo a procedure that'll either trim or repair his meniscus:

Barring the most ideal scenario, one in which McCarthy is only out a few weeks, Darnold is poised to start against his former team when San Francisco travels to US Bank Stadium.

Darnold spent only one season with the 49ers, 2023, serving as Brock Purdy's primary backup. He started only one game, a relatively meaningless Week 18 affair, and finished his lone Niners campaign with a 60.9 completion percentage for 297 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Yet that telegraphed into a one-year free-agent deal in Minnesota, worth up to $5 million. And he'll now be tasked with getting the Vikings' 2024 campaign off to a solid start with McCarthy likely not being pressed to rush back prematurely.

"Revenge game" coming? Darnold likely doesn't see it that way, but going up against an old squad is always a source of motivation.

Additionally, Minnesota has another former San Francisco quarterback on its roster, Nick Mullens, but it'll almost assuredly be the Darnold show in Week 2.

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