KOC: Jordan Addison thumb injury not serious

Addison dominated air yards and targets with Justin Jefferson sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained in the second quarter. His 41-yard touchdown grab from Kyler Murray was one of three downfield looks he got on the day; he nearly converted the other two as well. A non-factor in the Vikings’ first two games of the season, Addison should be locked into lineups if Jefferson misses any time with the ankle issue. If Jefferson returns for Week 4 against the Dolphins, Addison would figure to be flex-viable as long as Murray is under center.

It’s another disappointing statline for a wideout held without a catch in Week 1, though it was yet another game where we didn’t get to see the Vikings’ “real” offense. With Kyler Murray out with a concussion, Carson Wentz was fed to the wolves at rainy Soldier Field. Murray is expected back for Week 3 in Tampa, and with him, hopefully finally a useable statline for the Vikes’ talented No. 2 receiver.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell ruled out veteran receiver Jauan Jennings, citing a death of a close family member. Jennings will step away from the team to mourn the passing, leaving Tai Felton as the player most likely to step into his vacated role when the Vikings take on the Bears. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should take on all the volume they can handle with the team also without Jordan Mason. Jefferson is a locked-in WR1 while Addison offers an intriguing upside-WR2 profile after putting up a dud in Week 1.

Carson Wentz took over for an injured Kyler Murray early in this game and did what any good backup does: He peppered his top wideout with targets. Justin Jefferson saw nine looks, T.J. Hockenson was targeted twice, and no other Viking earned more than two targets. Addison should rebound in Week 2 against a Bears defense that just gave up 37 points to Carolina. He will be in the WR4 mix no matter who lines up under center for Minnesota.

Pelissero affirmed Addison’s role as a guest on the Rich Eisen Show. He prefaced the remarks by saying that WR Jauan Jennings’ signing “immediately raises questions” about whether the Vikings planned to move on from Addison before saying that they, in fact, do not. Jennings was brought in on a “cut-rate,” one-year deal to play the No. 3 wide receiver role.

We assumed this was the case, though Jennings’ size allows one to wonder if he might be valuable in heavy personnel packages. Nailor departed for the Raiders earlier this offseason. Vikings No. 2 WR Jordan Addison was suspended for Weeks 1-3 last season. From Week 4 on, Addison out-snapped Nailor 714-to-507. Expecting a similar split from Addison and Jennings this season is reasonable.

The deal includes an $8 million base salary. Jennings can make an extra $5 million via incentives. This will be Jennings’ first time playing for a team other than the 49ers, who drafted him in the 2020 NFL Draft’s seventh round. Jennings, 28, caught 55 passes for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns last year. He should start in three-wide receiver sets alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jefferson will rarely leave the field, but one wonders if Jennings (6'3/212) might be able to steal snaps from Addison (5'11/175) in two-wide receiver sets, in part due to Jennings’ run-blocking ability. Addison, 24, is the more talented receiver, so we expect him to remain the No. 2 target earner, but this dynamic is worth keeping an eye on in training camp. For now, Jennings can be viewed as a WR4/FLEX, while Jefferson sits in the WR1 tier and Addison in the WR2/3 range.

The official decision comes nearly a month after EVP Rob Brzezinski said the team was planning to do so. It’s been an up-and-down start for Addison through the first three years of his career. The former No. 23 overall pick has tallied a career receiving line of 175-2,396-22 in his career while playing opposite Justin Jefferson, with his best season (70-911-10) coming as a rookie. Addison missed three games last season due to a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and was arrested for misdemeanor trespassing charges earlier this offseason. While it wouldn’t be surprising if he and the Vikings eventually hammer out an extension, Addison may need to play out his contract through the 2027 season if he hopes to land the long-term deal.

Addison is hoping for a bounce-back season after a down 2025 saw his receiving totals (42-610-3) feature career-lows across the board. Of course, not all of Addison’s struggles can be blamed on him, as the Vikings were forced to navigate one of the worst quarterback situations of the season with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer all taking turns under center last season. Addison has a career line of 175-2,396-22 in his three-year career and has been a serviceable WR2 opposite Justin Jefferson. Now under contract through 2027, the team will get some additional time to look at him before deciding if he’s worth a long-term extension.

Addison, who was arrested last week, “will prepare for the filing of a civil claim arising from the alleged wrongful arrest,” according to Garafolo. “As Mr. Addison’s agent has advised, from the very outset of this incident and arrest, Mr. Addison committed no legal wrong doing,” Addison’s attorney said in a statement. “We are thrilled that the truth was finally revealed and this poor man’s name was not besmirched any longer. I am thankful we were able to bring this to light as quickly as possible.” Addison has had other run-ins with the law, including a DUI, which led to a suspension. The Vikings will have to decide this offseason on extending a fifth-year option or beginning contract talks with Addison, entering his fourth season in the league in 2026.