The Minnesota Vikings haven't had their starting offensive line on the field at the same time this season. Injuries have decimated that unit while the team was forced to get creative with backups, particularly at center.
Starting center Ryan Kelly suffered a concussion in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and has been out of action since. In the meantime, Vikings offensive lineman Blake Brandel filled in despite no previous snaps at that position.
However, it looks as though the offensive line could be intact for the first time this season on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, considering the news that a player could return to the lineup after being on injured reserve.
The Minnesota Vikings have activated center Ryan Kelly ahead of Sunday's Week 12 game against the Green Bay Packers.
On Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings announced on their X account that center Ryan Kelly has been activated from injured reserve and will enter the game against the Packers without an injury designation.
The #Vikings have activated C Ryan Kelly from IR and he will enter #MINvsGB without an injury designation.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 22, 2025
CB Dwight McGlothern Jr. has signed to the practice squad and elevated to the active roster for tomorrow's game. RB Cam Akers has been released from the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/CXPcqI7XxO
Getting four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly back could be a huge boost to the offensive line. His familiarity with right guard Will Fries and experience at the position could help the Vikings' offense. In particular, young quarterback J.J. McCarthy could benefit from the blocking.
Also of note, recently released cornerback Dwight McGlothern was signed back to the Minnesota practice squad. To create a spot for him, running back Cam Akers was released from the practice squad.
In addition to McGlothern's return, he was elevated to the 53-man roster for Sunday's game against the Packers. The team might need his services since the number of cornerbacks on the roster is dangerously low at the moment.
Yet, it has been the offense that has struggled to keep drives alive and put points on the board. Hopefully, Kelly's return will help to make the offense click a bit better and take some pressure off a defense that has played well despite being on the field for large amounts of the game.
The Minnesota Vikings will need all the help they can get to defeat the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field this week. At the moment, the purple and gold are in the basement of the NFC North, and their fans are more likely to be talking about the 2026 NFL Draft than a possible playoff berth. However, a win against a division rival could go a long way in changing that mindset this season.