Vikings receiver Jordan Addison carted off field at joint practice with Browns

BEREA, OHIO – As if Wednesday’s news of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury wasn’t bad enough, the Vikings lost No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison to a left ankle injury shortly after the start of a joint practice with the Browns.

“I don’t believe he’ll practice [Thursday],” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said after practice and before talking to his training staff. “We’re going to get [an MRI] but I think he’s going to be all right.”

Addison was seen on crutches at the team hotel later in the day. His preseason is likely finished.

The second-year receiver was being tightly covered near the sideline when an errant throw by Sam Darnold fell incomplete. Addison stumbled, went to the ground, got back up and tried to walk but sat down until a cart was brought onto the field to take him away.

Addison wasn’t the only Vikings receiver injured Wednesday at the Browns training facility. Thayer Thomas, who spent last season on the Vikings practice squad, was injured on a pass that was jumped and returned for a pick-six by Cleveland cornerback Myles Harden.

Thomas was told by O’Connell to stay down until Vikings trainers could be brought out to look at him.

“It was a ball a little bit behind him as he was crossing the field, and he might have hit his head or his neck,” O’Connell said. “Whatever it was, we wanted to be overly cautious before we got him up and off the field. He was able to get off the field on his own power. I don’t know his availability for [Thursday].”

As Thomas was being tended to, O’Connell went into the Browns defensive huddle to talk to the defenders. He also spoke with Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on the field.

From a distance, it appeared that O’Connell might have been asking for a little less physicality from the hosts. Not so, said O’Connell.

“I was just saying we wanted to make sure Thayer is OK, and that it was not serious,” O’Connell said. “As for the [physicality], not at all. I thought it was a physical practice. Exactly what you hope to accomplish. Guys are going to get juiced up, but it was nothing even near to crossing the line. Just good work.”

Not practicing Wednesday were Vikings cornerback Shaq Griffin, tight end Robert Tonyan and linebacker Gabriel Murphy. Outside linebacker Dallas Turner returned.

The Cleveland defense dominated the Vikings offense the entire practice. The Browns intercepted passes, broke up balls, pressured the quarterbacks and talked. A lot.

“We just had more energy than they did,” Cleveland safety Juan Thornhill said.

One of the loudest sideline motivators? Former Vikings edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, who is out because of a knee injury. Fellow former Vikings Dalvin Tomlinson and Jordan Hicks also are out because of injuries this week.

Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw is considered one of the best at his position. Wednesday, he met an edge rusher who is the very best at his.

Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was at his most powerfu+l, lightning-quick best while getting past Darrisaw for what would have been multiple sacks. He also had a pressure that led to a pick-six on a ball intended for Justin Jefferson.

“It’s my first time playing against that guy, and he’s clearly the best it gets,” Darrisaw said. “Getting two days against him, it’s good work for me. You got to be on your game every play.”

On a good note, Vikings coordinator Brian Flores’ defense befuddled quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Browns offense. Cleveland was flagged for several presnap penalties and gave up a lot of pressure. Brian Cashman, Jonathan Greenard and Harrison Phillips were among the defenders posting what would have been sacks.

“It was a good practice for the defense,” safety Cam Bynum said. “We were able to turn the ball over a few times. Fumbles. A pick. We were sending a lot of pressure and making sure the quarterback wasn’t comfortable.”