As the Minnesota Vikings go on summer break, wide receiver Jordan Addison has other matters to address before returning for training camp.
The 23-year-old receiver is facing DUI charges for an incident where he was found asleep behind the wheel of a Rolls Royce in Los Angeles last summer. Addison pleaded not guilty in December.
There has been continued speculation about when and if Addison might face a suspension from the NFL, which is awaiting the ruling of his trial.
On Monday, Addison's timeline came into perspective following a court hearing in California.
Jordan Addison
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported on June 16 that Addison's trial date is scheduled for July 15 in California. A ruling should be determined before Vikings training camp starts on July 27, although the NFL may take longer in making its own decision.
ESPN's Dan Graziano previously reported in August 2024 that the Vikings expect Addison to be suspended, but the timeline has finally come into focus.
League rules state that a first offense involving "substances of abuse" is punishable by a three-game suspension without pay "absent aggravating circumstances," Seifert has noted previously.
If Addison is convicted on two misdemeanor charges -- driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a .08% blood alcohol content -- this would be his first offense.
A three-game suspension would likely come down from the league at the beginning of the season.
That would be an early detriment to J.J. McCarthy, who is poised to be the team's Week 1 starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The Vikings offense is loaded with other weapons behind Justin Jefferson, but Addison is the team's top option to exploit the added attention Jefferson garners.
Jalen Nailor would be a candidate to step up in Addison's absence, and the selection of Maryland receiver Tai Felton could be a proactive move to assure the roster is prepared to be missing Addison.