The JJ McCarthy conspiracy theory, Jordan Addison's injury, Blake Cashman

A weekend publication by VikingTerritorywe present to you: the Vikings No no of the week.

Vikings Nopedy Nopes: The JJ McCarthy conspiracy theory, Jordan Addison's injury, Blake Cashman

The nooooo are weekly Minnesota Vikings-themed articles that we don't buy. It's an offshoot of our rumor mill and we hope you enjoy it. Here is the 23rd episode of Vikings Nopedy Nopes in the series' history.

The Nopedy Nope: Vikings management intentionally extends the recovery time from JJ McCarthy's injury to increase job security.

Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy tore his meniscus last weekend and is expected to miss all or most of the 2024 season. And according to former Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson, team officials, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell, intentionally maximized the length of McCarthy's injury rehabilitation to ensure their job security.

“They would have been fired this year. They closed JJ9 to buy another year. You are not ready to have this conversation yet,” Henderson opened the conspiracy theory with a tweet on Thursday, the first of many similar posts.

To believe this hypothesis, one would have to assume that there was coordinated sabotage between Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell and that the two of them kept their bosses – the owners – completely in the dark.

Henderson also ignored the varying degrees of severity of a meniscus injury and lumped all such injuries together: “So you want me to believe that there were people whose meniscus was completely repaired and then they were put out of action before the surgery or before the start of the season?”

The former Viking also claimed that his theory would become reality and that he would be called a “genius” for being the first to recognize it.

This is just ridiculous.

Verdict: No no.

The Nopedy Nope: Jordan Addison's injury this week meant the end of the season and plunged Minnesota into total summer chaos.

Addison was taken away from joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, the same day JJ McCarthy was ruled out for the remainder of the season. With the word “takeaway” making the rounds on social media, many assumed the bad news would not stop and that Addison would also be out for the remainder of the season.

A day later, O'Connell updated Addison's status, stating he had avoided a serious injury. It's unclear if he'll be ready for the regular season with his ankle injury. Stay tuned.

People just assumed the evil cosmos had consumed the Vikings' orbit – a natural feeling after McCarthy's injury. But Addison's ordeal paled in comparison. He'll be healthy and back sooner than McCarthy.

Verdict: No no.

The Nopedy Nope: Linebacker Blake Cashman had to undergo extensive surgery due to an injury.

A social media aggregator tweeted the following on August 15:

Cashman's finger needed stitches. Stitches. “Had surgery” sounded like Cashman needed urgent help.

Verdict: No no.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel. VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis and opinions on all things Purple Team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed secret passions: 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 from OverTheCap.com.