The Minnesota Vikings seem to be hit with a relentless string of bad luck.
On the heels of a devastating blow where rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy was ruled out for the season following surgery to repair a torn meniscus, the team faced another setback. During a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, wide receiver Jordan Addison had to be carted off the field after suffering an injury.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell, who had yet to consult with the medical staff, mentioned that Addison would likely miss the next day’s practice and that an MRI would be performed to assess the severity of the injury.
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The Star Tribune’s Mark Craig reported seeing Addison on crutches at the team hotel, casting doubt on his availability for the rest of the preseason.
The injury occurred during a play where quarterback Sam Darnold threw an errant pass while Addison was tightly covered on the sideline. Addison tripped, attempted to get back up but immediately went down again, leading to his being carted off by trainers.
This is a significant setback for the Vikings, as Addison had a stellar rookie season with 70 catches, 911 yards, and 10 touchdowns, forming a potent receiving duo with Justin Jefferson. Losing both their No. 10 overall pick and future franchise quarterback on the same day is a bitter pill to swallow.
The joint practice was notably physical and competitive, marking the first of such sessions between the Vikings and Browns ahead of their preseason matchup on Saturday. Addison wasn’t the only casualty; wide receiver Thayer Thomas also went down after a play involving a pick-six by Browns’ Myles Harden.
In response to the injuries, O’Connell was seen conversing with Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, possibly addressing the practice’s intensity. However, O’Connell later clarified that the physicality wasn’t an issue, noting that it was the kind of rigorous practice they were aiming for.
The Vikings are set to continue practicing with the Browns in Berea, Ohio, leading up to Saturday’s preseason game. The team and fans now anxiously await further updates on Addison’s condition following his MRI.
