5 September 2024
Never mind that Jordan Addison was listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday afternoon. The receiver has no doubt that he’s going to be playing for the Vikings on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in the season opener against the New York Giants.
“No question,” he said.
After being carted off the field last month during joint practices against the Cleveland Browns, Addison has been slowly working his way back into the mix. He suffered a high ankle sprain, and while he knew it would take some time for him to get back on the field, he was never worried about missing the season opener.
“I’ve had them plenty of times,” Addison said. “As soon as it happened, I’m like, ‘I already know what it is. It ain’t no biggie.’ I already knew I was going to be back for Week 1. It wasn’t nothing serious.”
The fact that Addison claims he’ll be available for the season opener lines up with what head coach Kevin O’Connell said earlier this week.
“I think Jordan is in a good spot,” O’Connell said. “I feel pretty good about him making the game.”
The presence of Addison will be a big boost for the Vikings. He plays an important role in the offense, lining up alongside star receiver Justin Jefferson. If the Giants want to throw double coverage at Jefferson, they run the risk of leaving Addison in single coverage elsewhere on the field.
Not ideal considering Addison recorded 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie.
“I think it was a confidence booster for him being able to perform the way he did,” Jefferson said. “Now, for him to come back with me in this offense and have somebody to kind of fall back on and take a little bit pressure off of him, I feel like that connection is going to go crazy — just with our ability to high point the ball and make plays and score touchdowns. It’s going to be exciting, and I can’t wait.”
The fact that Addison has gotten more comfortable with the playbook this season allows him to play more freely on the field.
“I know what I’ve got to do,” he said. “Instead of thinking about what I’ve got, I can focus on the defense and see what they’re doing and react.”
It remains to be seen whether the Vikings list Addison with an injury designation on Friday afternoon. Not that it will change much for him.
“I’m feeling great,” Addison said. “I’m 100 percent.”
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