The Vikings managed to avoid a second major injury in just two days.
Minnesota’s No. 2 wide receiver Jordan Addison is expected to miss some time due to a left ankle injury he got on Wednesday. This injury comes just hours after Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was ruled out for the season because of knee surgery.
It’s not clear how long Addison will be out, but Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said on Thursday that Addison, who had 70 catches and 10 touchdowns last season as a rookie, isn’t seriously hurt.
“He’ll work through the rehab process and (we) look forward to getting him back as fast as possible,” O’Connell said after the second of two joint practices against the Browns. “Don’t see him missing any extended time or anything like that.”
Addison got hurt when he seemed to step on a Cleveland defender’s foot while jumping to catch a pass from Vikings starting quarterback Sam Darnold.
He got up and tried to walk but then stumbled and needed help. He was taken off the field on a cart.
Star receiver Justin Jefferson said he felt sure Addison wasn’t seriously hurt.
“I mean I kind of seen it from the field, seen when it happened that it wasn’t going to be a major injury,” Jefferson said. “But it always sucks to see your main guy, a starter go down with an injury like that and he’ll be down for a few weeks.
“But we need him for Week 1 and as long as we got him for Week 1, we’re good.”
The Vikings start the regular season on Sept. 8 against the New York Giants.
Addison, a first-round pick in 2023, had a fantastic first season and was a great addition alongside Jefferson, one of the NFL’s top receivers.
O’Connell also mentioned that wide receiver Thayer Thomas is in concussion protocol after getting hurt on Wednesday, and linebacker Blake Cashman needed stitches for an unspecified injury but should be back soon.
