Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has been handed a suspension for the initial three contests of the NFL season due to a breach of the league’s substance abuse policy, as reported on Tuesday.
Addison, who has held the position of the Vikings’ No. 2 receiver for the last two years, will be absent from the season opener against the Chicago Bears, followed by home matchups versus the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals.
He will be eligible to make his return for the Vikings’ game in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin. During this period, Addison is permitted to engage in all training camp activities with the Vikings, which includes participating in preseason matches.
Addison entered a no contest plea on July 17 for a reduced charge to settle a 2024 DUI citation. The agreement involved a charge of wet reckless driving on a roadway, which makes him subject to NFL penalties as it indicates alcohol was involved in the driving incident.
He accepted a fine of $390 and received 12 months of probation, which his agent Tim Younger mentioned could be reduced by half if he finishes two online courses.
Addison, who was the Vikings’ first-round draft choice in 2023, faced charges in July 2024 for driving under the influence of alcohol and having a blood alcohol level of at least .08% after a West Los Angeles police officer discovered him asleep at the wheel of a white Rolls-Royce that was obstructing a lane on I-105 westbound in the vicinity of Los Angeles International Airport.
This event took place nearly one year after Addison was ticketed for driving at 140 mph on a Minnesota interstate in July 2023. He later agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor speeding offense, while a charge of reckless driving was dismissed. He ended up paying $686 in fines.
During two seasons with the Vikings, Addison has made 29 starts, accumulating 133 receptions for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The leading candidate to step in for him in the Vikings’ starting roster is fourth-year wide receiver Jalen Nailor, who began seven games in 2024.
