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NFL Rumors: Jordan Addison Suspension Anticipated by Vikings After July Arrest

Julia StumbaughAugust 9, 2024

EAGAN, MN - AUGUST 03: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) runs a drill during Minnesota Vikings Training Camp at TCO Performance Center on August 3, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images via Getty Images

The Minnesota Vikings are expecting wide receiver Jordan Addison to receive a suspension from the NFL following his DUI arrest in California, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported.

"But due to the speed with which those matters move at the league office, they're comfortable in their belief that any suspension would come either late this season or during the 2025 offseason," Graziano noted.

Addison was arrested on suspicion of DUI in July, and charged with two misdemeanors on Monday.

He will have an arraignment and plea hearing on Oct. 7, and could receive a suspension "once the legal proceedings are complete," ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported.

According to Graziano, the Vikings have "some concern," but think it unlikely, that Addison's suspension will overlap with tight end T.J. Hockenson's recovery from January knee surgery.

The Vikings expect to have Hockenson back, not for the Sept. 8 season opener against the New York Giants, but during "the first half of the season," Graziano reported.

Graziano added that estimates for the length of Hockenson's absence range "from three to seven missed games."

That puts Hockenson's expected return some time between the Vikings' Week 4 tilt against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 29 and the team's Week 9 contest against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 3.

NFL rules state that a first offense involving "substances of abuse" is punishable by a three-game suspension without pay "absent aggravating circumstances," Seifert noted.

Addison previously pleaded guilty in August 2023 to a misdemeanor speeding charge in a separate incident. That will not count against him if the NFL considers a suspension, as league rules do not count charges unrelated to DUI as a first offense, NBC Sports' Mike Florio noted.

A first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Addison started the last 12 games of his rookie NFL season. He made 70 catches while leading the Vikings with 10 receiving touchdowns, and trailing only star wideout Justin Jefferson and Hockenson for the team lead with 911 receiving yards.

The Vikings are likely planning on leaning on Addison in Hockenson's absence, and vice versa during Addison's anticipated suspension, as they look to develop reliable targets for likely starter Sam Darnold.

Addison could face six months in jail, fines up to $2,000 or a six-month suspension of his driver's license if convicted or if he pleads guilty, Ben Goessling reported for the Star Tribune.