The Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback for Week 1 at home against the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings will be without a wide receiver for that contest and two more due to a punishment from the league. Per Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, wide receiver Jeshaun Jones was suspended for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
He'll be eligible for reinstatement before the Vikings host the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 4. "Vikings WR Jeshaun Jones has been suspended three games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy," Garafolo posted on X. "Jones will be eligible for reinstatement on Monday, Sept. 28." More News: Kirk Herbstreit Calls Out Notre Dame for ‘Embarrassing’ Schedule More News: Three Teams That Can Win the Big 12 Jones joined the Vikings as an undrafted receiver in 2024.
He played in one game for Minnesota last season, returning two punts for five yards. The Vikings have a solid receiver corps with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and newcomer Jauan Jennings. Jones is fighting to make the 53-man roster with Tai Felton, Dontae Fleming, Myles Price, Dillon Bell, Terrill Davis, Tristan Leigh, Marcus Sanders Jr., Michael Briscoe, and Trayvon Rudolph.
Jones has skills as a returner which work in his favor, but he has yet to make a catch on offense in his brief NFL career. The contest he appeared in last season is his only appearance in two seasons. Given the impact of a three-game suspension, it's fair to wonder if the Vikings would make Jones one of the players they release before the deadline to trim rosters to 53 players on Sunday.
It wouldn't make sense to keep Jones on the roster for the early part of the season while he's serving his suspension. He could join the Vikings on the practice squad, where he spent the majority of his first two seasons with the Vikings. But he could be used later on in the season for Minnesota when injuries start to accrue.
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