Vikings Star WR Suffers Ankle Injury During Season Opener, Will Have More Tests to Determine Damage
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison is scheduled to have additional tests on the ankle injury he sustained in Sunday’s season opener 28-6 win over the New York Giants.
It unlikely that Addison sustained a major injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The receiver tallied three catches for 35 yards prior to the injury. Addison was targeted four times in the second quarter by quarterback Sam Darnold. He posted catches for 16, 13, and six yards in Minnesota’s 99-yard touchdown drive that extended their lead 14-3. Addison drew a 36-yard pass interference penalty in the first quarter, which moved the ball to the New York’s 27-yard line. The infraction led to the Vikings’ first touchdown of the season by Aaron Jones.
“I’m feeling great. This is a great way to start my journey with the Vikings, and as a team, we came and accomplished what we wanted to do,” Jones said via the team’s transcript. The receiver was listed on the injury report with another ankle injury he sustained in training camp. Addison was limited early last week but fully participated on Friday. It didn’t take long for Addison to sustain yet another ankle injury in Week 1 of the regular season.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t appear to be very serious which is good news for the Vikings offense. Darnold had a historic debut for Minnesota. Darnold became the third player in franchise history to complete 12 or more consecutive passes to start the season. Kirk Cousins went 17-for-17 against the Chicago Bears in October 2022. Fran Tarkenton was 12-for-12 against the Cincinnati Bengals in November 1977. “Sam Darnold, for a guy to start 12-for-12 and be incredibly poised throughout the day, huge performance for us to be able to build off of with Sam,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said.
His only interception came on a deflected pass after he was hit. One of his Darnold’s best throws was a 44-yard pass to star receiver Justin Jefferson against double coverage. “We’ve been working on that,” Jefferson said postgame. “We literally worked on that in practice a few days ago. Just communicating with each other, making sure we’re on the same page – I’m in the right spot and he’s throwing it to the right spot – and everything we talked about happened exactly [how it should] out there on that play.”
“It was a beautiful ball,” Jefferson added. Darnold had one of the most effortless performances in Week 1. “It’s always great to get a win. That’s the biggest thing,” Darnold said. “It’s always great to get a win, whether it’s Week 1 or Week 12. We’re happy with it, but we’re not satisfied.”
Van Ginkel wasn’t the only player the Minnesota Vikings added in the offseason who made an impact. Kevin O’Connell handed out four game balls after Minnesota’s 28-6 win, each to a player they signed in free agency. Sam Darnold went 19 of 24 for 208 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick. Aaron Jones had 94 yards on 14 carries. Dallas Turner had three tackles and his first career sack.
But Van Ginkel’s pick-six sealed the game.
“That was a smart play,” said Harrison Smith. “And then the athleticism to do it in the end zone. Pretty much iced the game. You never know: Maybe they go on a drive there and it gets interesting. So to be able to do that is kind of like the dagger.”
Metellus said that the Vikings built strong relationships in the offseason, one in which they lost Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter to free agency.
