The Minnesota Vikings will be missing one of their key wide receivers at the beginning of the regular season.
On Tuesday, Jordan Addison was suspended without pay for the first three games of the season after pleading no contest earlier this offseason to a “wet reckless” charge. He had originally faced DUI charges stemming from a July 12, 2024 incident and entered a not guilty plea on December 3, 2024.
#Vikings WR Jordan Addison has been suspended without pay for the first 3 games of the 2025 season for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy.
Addison recently resolved a 2024 DUI citation by pleading no contest to a lesser charge. He can participate in preseason. pic.twitter.com/ZoSDHKOJPx— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2025
In July 2023, Jordan Addison was also cited for reckless driving after being caught speeding at 140 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Through his first two NFL seasons, Addison—selected 23rd overall in the first round of the 2023 draft—has recorded 133 receptions for 1,786 yards (averaging 13.4 yards per catch) and 19 touchdowns. Only Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals), Mike Evans (Buccaneers), and Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions) have more touchdown receptions over that stretch.
His absence will be a significant setback for the Vikings’ offense as it begins a new chapter with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy taking over as starting quarterback.
Although McCarthy will still have star receiver Justin Jefferson at his disposal during the first three games, Addison’s suspension puts a major dent in the team’s receiving depth.
Jalen Nailor, a sixth-round pick in 2022, is expected to see a larger role. He appeared in a career-high 51% of the offensive snaps last season, according to Pro Football Reference.
Newcomers Rondale Moore and Tim Jones, 2025 third-rounder Tai Felton, and undrafted rookies Lucky Jackson and Silas Bolden could also be asked to step up.
Moore missed all of last season due to a knee injury suffered in training camp with the Falcons, while Jones had just three catches on five targets with the Jaguars. Felton and Bolden are still developing, and Jackson—who has impressed recently in training camp—may be emerging as the standout among the group.
Lucky Jackson toe tap TD from McCarthy! pic.twitter.com/d8FxN8WRdP
— Jason Harmon (@_jason_777) August 1, 2025
Lucky with the acrobatic catch on Byron Murphy Jr.
Continues to ball in training camp 🔥#SKOL pic.twitter.com/J4yawkjnXH
— Vikes/erified (@VikesVV) August 2, 2025
No matter who fills in for Addison, the Vikings’ offense will be operating at less than full strength to start the season. Defenses will likely zero in on Justin Jefferson with double coverage, putting pressure on Minnesota’s less experienced secondary and tertiary receivers to step up and make plays.
It’s a challenging situation for J.J. McCarthy as he prepares for his first regular-season start, but the Vikings will have to adapt and find a way to make it work.
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