Vikings Receiver Set to Miss Key Early-Season Games Following NFL Ruling
The Minnesota Vikings will be without a key weapon to start the 2025 season, as wide receiver Jordan Addison has been suspended by the NFL for the first three games for a violation of the league’s Substances of Abuse Policy. The suspension, which was officially announced on Tuesday, August 5, stems from a July 2024 drunken driving arrest in Los Angeles. While the punishment was widely anticipated, it creates a significant challenge for the Vikings as their new starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, begins his rookie season without his primary second option in the passing game.
A Long-Awaited Discipline from a Year-Old Incident
The suspension brings to a close a legal saga that has followed Addison for over a year. The incident occurred in July 2024, when the second-year receiver was found asleep at the wheel of a Rolls-Royce, blocking lanes of traffic on a Los Angeles interstate exit. He was arrested for a DUI, but in July 2025, he resolved the case by pleading no contest to a lesser charge of “wet reckless” driving. The three-game suspension is a standard penalty for a first-time violation of the league’s substance abuse policies. While Addison will be suspended without pay for the first three weeks of the regular season, he is permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including training camp and the team’s exhibition games.
Impact on the Vikings’ Offense and Addison’s Career
Addison’s suspension will have a significant impact on the Vikings’ offense in the early part of the season. He will miss games against the Chicago Bears, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Cincinnati Bengals. The receiver will be eligible to return in Week 4 when the Vikings travel to Dublin, Ireland, for an international game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Without Addison on the field, the team will need other receivers, such as Jalen Nailor and rookie Tai Felton, to step up alongside superstar wideout Justin Jefferson. In his first two seasons, Addison has been a highly productive player, recording 133 receptions for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns. Despite his consistent on-field performance, this is not the first time Addison has faced legal trouble. He was also cited for reckless driving in July 2023 for speeding at 140 mph in a 65-mph zone, an offense that did not result in a suspension. The combination of off-field issues raises questions about his long-term future in the league, even as he has proven himself to be a talented and valuable player.
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