The JJ McCarthy Uproar, Ryan Tannehill, Benching Sam Darnold

A weekend release from Vikings TerritoryWe present to you: The Vikings No no no of the week.

Vikings Nopedy Nopes: The JJ McCarthy Uproar, Ryan Tannehill, Benching Sam Darnold

The no no no are weekly Minnesota Vikings themed items that we don’t buy. It’s a spin-off of our rumor mill and we hope you enjoy it. Here is the 35th batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in series history.

Nopedy No: JJ McCarthy had an unexpected second surgery on his knee, so the Vikings may be doomed.

McCarthy had an injection in his knee this week – described by some as “another operation.”

“As his rehab has picked up, we noticed a little swelling in there and just with the time we have … we just wanted to make sure there was no cause for concern. All the reports were very positive and he’s on the original schedule and in good shape,” O’Connell told reporters Wednesday.

People freaked out about an emergency operation, mainly because the Vikings are never lucky.

O’Connell also told the media: “He’s really knocked it out of the park every step of the way and as his rehab has picked up, we’ve noticed a little swelling in there. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him, but just wanted to make sure there was no cause for concern and all reports were very positive.”

Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling added on the brewing controversy: “Source confirmed ESPN’s Kevin Seifert’s report that JJ McCarthy had a biologic injection to manage intermittent swelling in his knee. No change to his recovery timeline. To be clear: Source said it was just an injection to McCarthy. No other operation.”

It was an injection, which is pretty standard. A full-scale operation out of nowhere would have raised eyebrows, but it didn’t.

Verdict: No no no.

Nopedy No: The Vikings should sign Ryan Tannehill because Sam Darnold threw 3 interceptions last weekend.

Sam Darnold produced a terrific game last Sunday, throwing 3 interceptions to no touchdowns en route to his team’s 12-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

And per Pro Football Talks Mike Florio, the performance was so bad that the Vikings should consider Ryan Tannehill’s free agency. Florio tweeted during Jaguars-Vikings: “Is it crazy to wonder what Kevin O’Connell could do with Ryan Tannehill down the stretch? Because it really looks like the Sam Darnold wagon has turned into a pumpkin again.”

Tannehill will only get a call from Minnesota — if at all — if an injury ends Darnold’s season. Tannehill is not an upgrade to Darnold, he is old and had to learn a new offense right away.

It won’t happen.

Verdict: No no no.

Nopedy No: Minnesota should bench Sam Darnold because of his interceptions in favor of interception trade Nick Mullens.

Reporters asked head coach Kevin O’Connell if he had a moment when he considered starting Mullens last weekend when Darnold threw interceptions, and he answered“Not one. Not one all day long. In fact, I looked at it as a great opportunity to see growth and continue to move the team. We’ll look back on this moment and use it the right way and Sam will get it better. I really believe that.”

O’Connell added: “We’re still 100% sure about Sam. It would be crazy not to be.”

What’s more, the only knock on the Darnold alternative, Nick Mullens — is too many interceptions.

Unless Darnold fires several plays of interception hell, his job is safe. He is likely to return on Sunday at the Titans.

Verdict: No no no.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel, VikesNu. The show features guests, analysis and opinion on everything related to the purple team with 4-7 episodes per week. His MY obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos’, Basset Hounds and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.