Vikings’ Jordan Addison saves face, and the game, with winning TD catch vs. Browns

LONDON - Vikings receiver Jordan Addison didn’t play in the first quarter Sunday vs. Cleveland because he missed a walkthrough practice last week.

He didn’t catch a pass until the third quarter.

Entering the Vikings’ final drive, he had two catches for 20 yards. Had the Browns won the game, Addison’s transgression and lack of production could easily be blamed as the difference in the game.

Then he caught passes from Carson Wentz on the Vikings’ last three offensive snaps of the game, turning a three-point deficit into a 21-17 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Those last three plays: A 4-yard catch on third-and-4; a 5-yard catch to the Cleveland 12; and then an out route into the front corner of the right side of the end zone, and the touchdown that transformed him from problem into solution.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said that he doesn’t always reveal team discipline decisions, but that he did bench Addison for missing a team walkthrough.

And it’s hard to miss a team walkthrough when you’re staying the team hotel, in the rustic environs of Ware, England, but in this case Addison found a way.

Addison said he wasn’t sure how long he would be held out of the game. “I wasn’t really too sure,” the 2023 first-round draft pick said. “I just knew I was going to be ready whenever I was in there. ... I needed to be there for my team.”

Addison said he ran “an Omaha route” against the Cover-2 defense of the Browns, meaning the Cleveland safeties were laying back. Addison broke to the right and “the ball was on the money,” he said. “Shout out to Carson.”

Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson praised Addison’s skills and said that Addison’s presence creates openings for him. He also took it upon himself to monitor Addison.

“It’s a difficult situation,” Jefferson said. “Definitely have my words with JA, but it’s just all about, you know, growing up and being a part of the team, and knowing the stakes, and knowing that he’s a valuable part of this team.”

In July, Addison pleaded no contest to a lesser charge to resolve a drunken driving case from 2024 in Los Angeles. He was suspended for three games by the NFL for that offense.

“Him finishing the game with a touchdown, it was like it was meant to happen,” Jefferson said. “He’s a great player. He’s a tremendous talent. I’ve just got to do better keeping him under my wing and making sure that he has his head on straight.”

In the two games he has been active this season, Addison has caught nine passes for 155 yards and that pivotal, face-saving touchdown.