Vikings ‘Speedy’ Playmaker Set to Benefit After Costly Decision

The Minnesota Vikings officially learned the fate of former first-round pick and wide receiver Jordan Addison, whose July 2024 arrest on suspicion of DUI outside of Los Angeles International Airport led to a plea deal to a “wet reckless” charge.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Addison has been suspended by the NFL for the first three games of the 2024 regular season.

He will be eligible to return in Week 4.

Addison’s absence is a blow to the Vikings’ offense and a significant loss for J.J. McCarthy, with whom he has developed a rapport this summer and during the offseason program. However, it immediately raises the profile of fourth-year wideout Jalen Nailor, who has also turned heads.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell projected a “big role” for, and a “great year” from, Nailor.

“He understands now, after all those reps and a full healthy season, there’s one way to do that, and that’s have your body prepared, and he certainly did that for the spring. He came back a couple days ago, looking ready to roll. And we’ll see how these first few weeks look, what type of personnel we’re going to have for those games when we get all the information on our group back,” O’Connell told reporters in July.

“Speedy could be a huge, huge contributor early and often all season long, and that’s my expectation. He’s primed and ready to play a huge role in our offense.”

Addison has benefited from Justin Jefferson being sidelined so far in training camp with a hamstring issue. The same is likely true for Nailor as he will look to capitalize in Addison’s place in the Vikings’ offense.