Jordan Addison, the Minnesota Vikings’ promising wide receiver, was reportedly carted off the field during a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday.
According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, Addison sustained the injury after attempting to catch a contested pass.
Although he won’t be participating in Thursday’s practice, the injury is not expected to be serious.
Addison, who was a first-round pick in the previous NFL Draft, had an impressive rookie season, recording 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
As the Vikings’ No. 2 receiver, Addison plays a crucial role alongside Justin Jefferson, who recently secured a significant contract extension with the team.
Jordan Addison, the 22-year-old Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, was previously charged with a DUI in California after allegedly falling asleep behind the wheel on a Los Angeles freeway in July.
While he has not yet been disciplined by either the Vikings or the NFL, Addison has publicly stated that he will accept whatever punishment comes his way.
Should Addison’s injury lead to him missing time, the Vikings could find themselves in a difficult position at wide receiver behind Justin Jefferson.
While Jalen Nailor has shown potential during the offseason and Trishton Jackson along with Trent Sherfield impressed in the first preseason game, none of these players have proven themselves as reliable options in the regular season.
Compounding the issue, the Vikings are also likely to be without star tight end T.J. Hockenson at the start of the season, which could further strain their offensive depth and versatility.
Earlier in the day, the Minnesota Vikings announced that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the entire season due to surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
This injury is a significant setback for the team, as McCarthy was expected to develop behind the scenes this season.
With McCarthy out, veteran Sam Darnold is now set to be the Vikings’ starting quarterback, with Nick Mullens serving as his backup.
The loss of McCarthy adds to the challenges the Vikings face this season, especially considering the uncertainty around their wide receiver depth and the potential absence of tight end T.J. Hockenson.