The Minnesota Vikings are down another receiver, and this time the blow comes with a suspension attached.
Jeshaun Jones has been suspended for three games after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, according to Mike Garafolo. The exact substance involved has not been disclosed.
Jones won’t be eligible for reinstatement until Monday, Sept. 28.
It’s a familiar kind of headline for Minnesota. A year ago, Jordan Addison was hit with a three-game suspension of his own for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and missed the start of last season.
For Jones, the timing could hardly be worse. The 28-year-old entered camp already fighting for a spot and now may be pushed off the roster entirely with cutdown day less than a week away.
Jones went undrafted in 2024 after three years as a starter at Maryland. Since joining the Vikings, he has spent the past two seasons mostly on the practice squad and has yet to make a catch in a regular-season game. His only statistical impact came as a returner, where he logged five punt return yards on two attempts.
The competition around him has only gotten tighter. Minnesota is looking for more steadiness from Addison, Justin Jefferson is expected to return to form as arguably the best receiver in the NFL, and Jauan Jennings was recently added for depth. Tai Felton, Dontae Felminng, and Myles Price have also been in the mix for one or two of the final receiver spots on the depth chart.
The Vikings also have a new quarterback situation. Kyler Murray was officially named the starter over former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.
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Minnesota is still sorting through a wider set of issues than a typical August evaluation, with Brian Flores remaining in the building while his discrimination lawsuit continues to hang over the organization. The quarterback conversation is the one drawing the most attention, but the Vikings broader challenge is just as important: finding enough dependable answers in a market where veteran edge rushers are scarce. The next few days should offer a clearer read on where McCarthy stands, and whether the team has enough around him to avoid turning one concern into several. [Read more 🡒]