The Minnesota Vikings are dealing with a ton of injuries early in the 2025 NFL season and the team is doing their best to make the adjustments necessary to put the best possible group of players on the field each week.
Making the process even more challenging is the fact that the Vikings are in the middle of their back-to-back games in Europe. That makes having workouts and getting the team together more challenging than usual.
After the Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns in London, Minnesota gets a much-needed bye week to heal and regroup after an incredibly unfortunate start to the season. Yet, the team is somehow still 2-2 heading into Week 5.
The Minnesota Vikings adjusted their 53-man roster on Saturday by making five transactions ahead of their Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns in London.
On Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings announced five transactions that should give fans mixed emotions about the upcoming schedule, providing both positive and negative updates on some important players for the purple and gold.
The #Vikings have made the following roster moves
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 4, 2025
- Activated C.J. Ham from IR
- Signed Vershon Lee to the 53-man roster
- Elevated Cam Akers and Henry Byrd to the active roster for tomorrow’s game
- Placed C Ryan Kelly on IR
- Waived QB Desmond Ridder pic.twitter.com/gm9YrzstZR
On a positive note, fullback C.J. Ham is set to return from injured reserve. The Pro Bowl blocker was dealing with a knee injury that sidelined him early this season, but is ready to return to the lineup for Sunday's game against the Browns.
In addition, running back Cam Akers and offensive lineman Henry Byrd have been elevated to the 53-man roster to help cover for injuries. Plus, offensive lineman Vershon Lee has been signed to the main roster to help blocking depth.
To make room for those players, the Vikings have waived quarterback Desmond Ridder and placed center Ryan Kelly on injured reserve.
Kelly is struggling with concussions this season. He entered concussion protocol twice already this season and will now sit out at least four games while he recovers on injured reserve. His backup, Michael Jurgens, has also been ruled out against the Browns this week with a hamstring injury.
Ridder was signed for quarterback depth when J.J. McCarthy suffered an ankle injury. The purple and gold seem to feel comfortable with Carson Wentz as the starter and Max Brosmer as his backup for Week 5.
If it feels like the Minnesota Vikings are scrambling to keep a roster, that's because they very well could be. But once they get back to American soil and recover during the bye week, the team can make more adjustments to stay competitive this season.