Vikings' Jordan Addison gets strong message after beating Browns

Vikings' Jordan Addison gets strong message after beating Browns originally appeared on The Sporting News

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison sat out the entire first quarter of the team's Week 5 London game against the Cleveland Browns but came alive later, hauling in the game-winning touchdown to secure a 21-17 victory.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell explained that Addison was held out initially because he missed a walkthrough earlier in the week. Once he entered the game, the 23-year-old caught five passes for 41 yards, including the decisive score in the second half.

Despite his production after being benched in the first half, Addison is being called out for his professionalism.

Vikings' Jordan Addison gets called out

On the Sunday edition of "CBS Sports HQ," NFL analyst Ran Carthon stated that the Vikings' young receiver needs to grow up.

"He's got to grow up," Carthon said. "It's plain and simple. He has to grow up. You missed three games because you were suspended for an off-the-field incident. You came into the league with some, some [so-called] quote-unquote baggage.

"At this point, you have to grow up. You have a long offseason if you want to go back and [do some] sightseeing in London; you have [several] months to do that.

"And I believe this isn't the first time he's played in London. So at this point, I'm glad that he was able to regroup, get himself together, and be there when his team needed him most at the end of the game. But at this point, young man, you have to grow up and become a pro."

Moreover, NFL analyst Damien Harris also agreed that Addison needs to become a pro and become that No. 2 guy behind Justin Jefferson.

MORE VIKINGS NEWS: Jordan Mason injury update stretches thin Vikings' RB depth chart

"If you're Jordan Addison, you have to take that and understand you are a go-to guy," Harris said. "Listen, everybody knows 18 is going to be double-covered. He's either going to get their best corner, or he's going to be double-covered. All the attention is going to be on 18.

"So you have got to be the guy that you know [the quarterback] will come to when 18 ain't open. And with that, you can't put yourself in a situation where you're missing times, you're missing reps, you're missing snaps because of boneheaded, off-the-field stuff that is completely controllable.

"For him, it's about understanding how important he is to this team as a 1B to Justin Jefferson and being a guy that can become [the No. 2] in the clutch and not missing opportunities early in the game or games, [or during] parts of the season, whatever you may have."