MN Vikings Suspend OC Over 2023 Arrest: Report

EAGAN, MN — The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly suspended offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for three weeks without pay over his 2023 drunk-driving arrest and subsequent conviction of a traffic violation.

Phillips will return to work on April 23, ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported.

Phillips, 44, was initially charged with a DWI. But prosecutors allowed him to instead plead guilty to a charge of misdemeanor careless driving.

Phillips was ordered to pay a $300 fine, a $78 surcharge, and perform eight hours of community service.

On Friday, Dec. 8, Phillips was pulled over for speeding on Interstate 394 in Minneapolis at about 9:45 p.m., Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Jill Frankfurth told the Star Tribune.

He appeared to be impaired and his blood-alcohol level measured at 0.10 percent, authorities said. The legal limit under state law is .08.

Phillips was booked into Hennepin County Jail on a misdemeanor DWI charge at 11 p.m. He posted a $300 bond and was released just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday, according to jail records.

"Wes immediately notified the team following his arrest last night," the Vikings said in a statement hours after the arrest.

"This morning we contacted the NFL, and after internal discussion, made the decision Wes will travel with the team to Las Vegas this afternoon. We will continue to gather information regarding the incident and have further comment at the appropriate time."