Revisiting Jordan Addison's DUI incident: How 2024 citation resulted in three-game NFL suspension

The NFL continues to take a stance against its players getting in legal trouble away from the field. The league doesn't like it when their players make the league look bad, so it often institutes a punishment based on off-field issues, on top of whatever the player may face from the legal system.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison became well aware of this ahead of the 2025 season. Addison was arrested in July 2024 on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was found asleep in his car and blocking a lane on the freeway near LAX. After nearly a year, Addison resolved his case legally by pleading no contest to a lesser misdemeanor. Despite this, he still had to face action from the NFL as well. 

Here is more on the incident that caused Addison to be suspended three games to begin the 2025 NFL season.

MORE: 16 NFL stars you never knew were also drafted by MLB teams

Why was Jordan Addison suspended?

Addison's suspension stems from a DUI that he received in 2024. While he was arrested and eventually pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor, he still faced a sentence from the NFL. For violating the league's Substances of Abuse Policy, the league decided to suspend him the standard three games. 

MORE: Best two-way players in NFL history

When was Jordan Addison's DUI arrest?

Addison was arrested under suspicion of DUI on July 12, 2024. He was found asleep behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce that was blocking a lane of traffic on I-105 near LAX. 

MORE: Most NFL draft picks by a school in one year

When will Jordan Addison return?

Addison will be forced to miss the first three games of the Vikings' season. He missed the Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears and will be forced to also miss Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons and Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Addison will be able to return in Week 4 when Minnesota takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland. 

MORE: Who are the heaviest players of all time?

Vikings WR depth chart

Justin Jefferson

Jefferson is the star of the Vikings' wide receiver corps. He is known for his highlight-reel catches, and his notable Griddy touchdown dance. Jefferson was drafted with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The former LSU Tiger took the league by storm, finishing with at least 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first five seasons. He is considered one of the best wide receivers in the league, and Minnesota gave him a massive four-year, $140 million contract extension ahead of the 2025 season.

Jalen Nailor

Nailor tends to serve as the wide receiver three for the Vikings when Addison is healthy and active. He was a sixth-round pick in 2022, but has proved more serviceable than other late-round wide receivers. He has mainly spent time in the offense with Jefferson and Addison, meaning that targets had been hard to come by. Still, Nailor finished the 2024 season with 414 yards and six touchdowns, career-highs at the time. 

Adam Thielen

Thielen went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Minnesota State. He signed with the Vikings and spent nine years with the organization. Thielen signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2023 season. He was with them for two years, but then the Panthers traded him back to the Vikings ahead of the 2025 season. Thielen is a veteran presence for the Minnesota wide receiver room, playing the role of mentor more than he is as a meaningful contributor.

MORE: How does NFL MVP voting work? 

Rondale Moore

Moore spent the first three seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. He got a fresh start with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, but missed the entire season due to a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. Moore then signed with Minnesota ahead of the 2025 season. In his first preseason game, he suffered a season-ending knee injury. 

Tai Felton

Felton was a third-round pick by Minnesota in the 2025 NFL Draft. He played his college ball at Maryland. Felton spent four years with the Terrapins. He played in 46 games over his career and brought in 172 receptions for 2,207 yards with 17 touchdowns. 

Myles Price

Price went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. He made the Vikings out of training camp. He split his time in college between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Indiana Hoosiers. Price played for Texas Tech for four seasons and then transferred to Indiana as a grad student. Overall in his collegiate career, he played a total of 55 college games and finished with 2,217 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

MORE: Ranking the 18 greatest Cowboys of all time