EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings will be without wide receiver Jordan Addison on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Addison, who last year torched the 49ers in Week 7 with seven catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns, injured his ankle last Sunday and has not yet fully recovered.
“He’s doing really well in his rehab,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “Don’t have any timeline on next week or anything like that.”
Addison was at the Vikings’ facility and walked through the locker room with tape on his ankle Friday. His absence leaves the Vikings skill group devoid of the “Robin” to Justin Jefferson’s “Batman.”
The Vikings will turn to wide receivers Jalen Nailor, Trent Sherfield Sr., Brandon Powell and Trishton Jackson in Addison’s place. It’ll be a receiving-corps-by-committee approach, especially considering Minnesota is already without tight end T.J. Hockenson, who is still on the physically unable to perform list while he rehabs his torn ACL.
Addison’s injury occurred on the Vikings’ second play of the third quarter in their Week 1 win against the New York Giants. Minnesota designed a screen for Addison in the flat, and he was tackled from behind; his ankle got caught underneath him as he was dragged to the ground. Addison did not return to the game.
O’Connell began the week by saying the Vikings would think long term with Addison’s injury. Hockenson might not return for a month or more, and with that being the case, and the Vikings navigating a critical early season stretch beginning Sunday against the 49ers, Addison’s presence is pivotal. Minnesota faces teams that made last year’s playoffs in five of its next six games.
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(Photo: Jeffrey Becker / Imagn Images)
