A Notable Vikings Starter Is Finally Back
At 4-6, the 2025 version of the Minnesota Vikings has very little wiggle room left. Another couple of losses, and the franchise would automatically be on the cusp of elimination. The last couple of games that followed the sweet triumph in Detroit have surely sucked all life out of Skol Nation and a win is desperately needed.
A Notable Vikings Starter Is Finally Back
While the wins on the field have been rare, there have been a bunch of wins on the injury reports in recent weeks. The squad is healing up and could come as close to full strength on Sunday as it’s been all year.
On Wednesday, the next puzzle piece returned to practice. Center Ryan Kelly, who has missed the last six games with his second concussion of the season, is listed as a full participant on the injury report for the first time since the injury occurred in Week 4.
Kelly signed a two-year deal in free agency and was hired to replace long-time starting snapper Garrett Bradbury. The four-time Pro Bowler was hired in part for the leadership and experience he can provide, especially in front of J.J. McCarthy as the man who can help him set protections.
In addition to that, he is a darn good football player, and he showed it in his limited playing time with the Vikings. Unfortunately, the concussions have severely restricted his impact. He suffered his first concussion in Week 2 and missed Week 3. Once he returned, he was knocked out again, and the Vikings had to take a cautious approach. Kelly has been on IR ever since.
A couple of weeks ago, he worked on a side field. Last week, the operation opened the 21-day practice window, and he was eligible to participate in team drills, logging some limited designations on the injury report.
In the second week of that process, he was upgraded to a full participant. The Vikings have yet to activate him from IR, but if there’s no setback, that should happen sooner rather than later. Perhaps the starting center could return to the lineup as early as Sunday, when the Vikings stare down the barrel of a fully loaded Green Bay defensive front that has been giving opponents fits all year.
During his absence, the Vikings first tried Michael Jurgens, but the sophomore joined Kelly on the sidelines with a soft-tissue injury. Suddenly, the coaching staff had to improvise and throw guard and previously tackle Blake Brandel in there. After some early mishaps, Brandel has been a pretty reliable player. With the exclusion of the matchup with Eagles standout defender Jalen Carter, he has done a decent job anchoring the offensive line.
Brandel would then return to backup duties. He’s an option for all five positions, given he entered the league as a tackle and then was moved to guard and center.
If Kelly indeed returns to the lineup, the Vikings could have their intended starting five on the field for the first time this season. One downer is that right guard Will Fries was listed on the injury report. He surprisingly didn’t practice because of a knee injury. The extent of that is unknown.
Sunday could be a big day for Kelly and the Vikings, who need to steal a win in Lambeau Field.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.