Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Jordan Addison has been suspended for three games without pay for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The suspension is likely due to the young receiver's offseason trouble involving a DUI charge.
Addison can still participate in training camp and preseason games, but he must serve the three-game suspension once the regular season starts. He will be eligible to return in Week 4.
Addison ended the season with 875 yards and nine touchdowns on 63 receptions for an average yards per catch of 13.9.
The young receiver has only spent two seasons in the NFL and was drafted by the Vikings in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Addison impressed at USC, going No. 23 overall to Minnesota.
As a member of the Trojans, Addison put together a senior season of 875 yards and four touchdowns. He also played for the Pittsburgh Panthers, where he brought in 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2021.
Addison got off to a hot start in the NFL, bringing in 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. Though he did not receive Offensive Rookie of the Year or a Pro Bowl nod, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
With Addison serving a three-game suspension, he will take the field on Week 4 when the Vikings take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland.
The Vikings have a lot of questions heading into the 2025 season. The team allowed Sam Darnold to head out West to join the Seattle Seahawks and has placed their trust in upcoming second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy was the presumed backup to Darnold in 2024, but he tore his meniscus during preseason. He became the first first-round pick to miss their rookie season due to injury.
The Vikings also played with the idea of bringing in longtime veteran Aaron Rodgers, but that never materialized. Now, they are betting big on McCarthy being able to lead the team in 2025.
The good news is McCarthy has arguably the best receiver to throw the ball to in the form of Justin Jefferson. The bad news is the team will have to play the first three games without their second-best pass-catching weapon.
Three games are not a massive suspension, but it could impact the Vikings' trying to have a hot start and take back the division from the reigning Detroit Lions.
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