Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison was able to resolve the legal side of his July 2024 DUI arrest before reporting to training camp this week. He pleaded no contest to a lesser charge, reckless driving with the involvement of alcohol (referred to as "wet reckless"), with a $390 fine, 12 months probation, and a requirement of taking two online courses as part of his sentence.
A portion of the NFL's policy on substances of abuse plainly spells out how many games a player will be suspended for a first offense (h/t to ESPN's Kevin Seifert).
"Absent aggravating circumstances, discipline for a first offense will be a suspension without pay of three regular or postseason games."
History, for the most part anyway, backs up the expectation all along that Addison will be suspended for three games in relation to the original DUI charge, and it will almost certainly take place between Week 1 and Week 3. That presumed suspension will also cost him a good bit of money when it's all said and done.
On Tuesday, Vikings' general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the team has been in communication with the league about a potential suspension for Addison. Adofo-Mensah also said the team has been planning for the possibility of a suspension from the start.
Minnesota Vikings WR Jordan Addison has (as expected) little to say about looming suspension
Before the Vikings held their first training camp practice of the summer on Wednesday. Addison spoke to a few local Twin Cities reporters, and of course, he was asked about what seems to be an inevitable suspension. He kept his answer pretty brief.
"You know, everything is out of my control right now. So whatever they got for me, I'll be prepared with whatever decision they make."
Addison was asked a follow-up question regarding his decision to plead guilty to a lesser charge instead of going through the process via a jury trial that had been scheduled. His response was also an expected one under the circumstances, with the resolution coming so close to the start of training camp.
"Just, to get it all behind me and just get on with the season."
In so many words, Addison acknowledged he will be suspended. It's possible he and the Vikings know the length of the suspension that's coming; it's just a matter of when the league decides to officially announce it. Until then, no one can (or should) offer any firm comment about it.
So we wait for the league to announce what should be a three-game suspension for Addison to start the season. He'll have the right to appeal, but his comments on Wednesday also suggest he'll take whatever suspension he gets and move forward.