Ever since Jordan Addison agreed to a plea deal in his DUI case last month, Minnesota Vikings fans have been wondering whether or not the young wide receiver will be the recipient of a multi-game suspension from the NFL this season.
Well, we might be closer to finding out the answer to that question, as ESPN's Jeremy Fowler shared on Monday that the Vikings are currently "bracing" for Addison to receive a three-game suspension from the league in the near future.
If the young pass-catcher ends up being suspended for the first three games of the 2025 campaign, Minnesota would be without him for its Week 1 matchup at the Chicago Bears, Week 2 on "Sunday Night Football" inside U.S. Bank Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons, and Week 3 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.
How will the Minnesota Vikings make up for the expected absence of Jordan Addison in 2025?
If Addison is out of action for the first three weeks of the 2025 season, as the Vikings apparently are anticipating, how will the team make up for his loss?
There's a possibility that Minnesota could add a free-agent wide receiver to the roster before Week 1. But since there isn't much time left until the regular-season opener, it would likely have to be a pass-catcher who has spent time in the past with the Vikings during head coach Kevin O'Connell's tenure with the team.
Brandon Powell is someone who currently fits that description, and Minnesota adding him right before the start of the regular season to help make up for a suspended Addison feels like a believable scenario.
The Vikings could also just use a receiver that they sign to the team's practice squad to begin the season. It would be a great opportunity for a young pass-catcher to prove they're worthy of an active roster spot, and Minnesota wouldn't have to use any resources to make it happen.
Something that seems like the most probable outcome for what the Vikings will do while Addison is out is just to increase the target share for players like tight end T.J. Hockenson, running back Aaron Jones, and wide receivers Jalen Nailor and Tai Felton.
Hockenson might be dealing with a minor injury currently, but if he's close to 100 percent healthy at the start of the regular season, no one would be shocked if he were to emerge as Minnesota's No. 2 passing target during Addison's suspension.