Matt Corral is returning to the NFL to aid the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback plight.
The Vikings have signed Corral, a 2022 NFL Draft third-round pick of the Carolina Panthers, and placed J.J. McCarthy on season-ending injured reserve Friday.
McCarthy underwent meniscus surgery this week, leaving Sam Darnold as the unquestioned starter going into 2024, with Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall backing him up. Mullens, Hall, Joshua Dobbs and Kirk Cousins started games for Minnesota in 2023. Thus, head coach Kevin O’Connell knows only too well that you can never have too many QBs at the ready.
Whether Corral has a chance to make the 53-man roster or is simply a camp arm will remain to be seen.
Still just 25 years old, Corral could potentially be a reclamation project for the QB-savvy O’Connell.
Corral has yet to play in an official NFL game.
Just like McCarthy, Corral was injured ahead of his rookie season and placed on injured reserve. He was waived by the Panthers in the summer of 2023 and then claimed by the New England Patriots, who he spent time with on the practice squad.
He’s now coming off a season in the UFL for the Birmingham Stallions, having helped the team to a league championship.
As for McCarthy, his season is now officially over before it could begin, a heartbreaking start for the Vikings’ hopeful franchise QB of the future.