Inside The Vikings

Kevin O'Connell Says Jordan Addison Will Play in Thursday's Preseason Opener

How much Addison will play is yet to be determined. (It probably won't be a lot).
Will Ragatz|
Kevin O'Connell Says Jordan Addison Will Play in Thursday's Preseason Opener
Kevin O'Connell Says Jordan Addison Will Play in Thursday's Preseason Opener

In this story:

Minnesota Vikings

Vikings rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison will play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Seahawks (9 p.m. CT, FOX 9/NFL Network), according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. He didn't say how much Addison will play, but the safe guess is not very much at all.

"He will play," O'Connell said. "We're still determining what that looks like, timeline for some guys, but yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing him get out there."

Addison's performance has been one of the biggest stories of Vikings training camp thus far. The first-round pick out of USC has been awfully impressive on a consistent basis with his ability to create separation and make plays.

What O'Connell likes most is how Addison has handled everything they've thrown at him from a mental standpoint and how committed he's been to his duties as a blocker in the run game.

"That's really been one of the highlights, knowing he didn't get to take part in a lot of things in the spring," he said. "Seeing not only his ownership, but how about his willingness (to block) versus this defense, where you're gonna sometimes not be running at the best angles, you're gonna have to have receivers willing to dig out Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus and Cam (Bynum) and Lew (Cine) and all these guys. To see him not only willing to do that, but then physically and fundamentally (able) to do it has been a real positive."

It sure seems like Addison is going to play a ton this year, even if he's the No. 3 receiver behind Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn to start the season. With that in mind, it would be surprising to see him play more than a couple series on Thursday night, given that O'Connell does not like to use starters at all in the preseason.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all season long.

Subscribe to the Inside the Vikings newsletter

Follow Will Ragatz on Twitter

Published
Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

Share on XFollow WillRagatz
Home/News