On the morning after his team’s biggest win of the 2025 season, Kevin O’Connell offered a subtle injury update that fans have been longing to hear.
Somewhat lost in the commentary surrounding J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and the Vikings’ never-ending quarterback saga has been an offensive line that just can’t get healthy; in a wild stat, Minnesota has played zero snaps this season with their starting five of Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill on the field together.
Now 10 weeks in, the Vikings could finally find the missing piece to their 2025 puzzle — and we're not talking about Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.
O’Connell told reporters on Monday that Kelly, who’s been on injured reserve since October 4 after suffering his second concussion of the season, will open the week with some individual work on the side field with trainers.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell says C Ryan Kelly will begin some side work this week. No update on opening window or timeline, but Kelly "seems to be in a good place." https://t.co/BnRdtT8lVp
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) November 3, 2025
The 32-year-old center can’t resume official football activities until the team opens his 21-day practice window, but the Vikings at least sound close to getting their $18 million center back.
Ryan Kelly’s injury update should give Minnesota Vikings fans hope for a second-half surge
Blake Brandel has done some fine work as Minnesota’s fill-in center — the converted guard pitched a clean sheet on 15 true pass blocking sets against the Lions, per Pro Football Focus — but the Vikings have to be itching to get their top group on the field, especially with McCarthy back healthy.
In the upset of the Lions, Minnesota had four of their five starting offensive lineman available, including O’Neill, who’s been battling a knee injury, and Darrisaw, who had played just nine snaps the week prior.
Jackson returned from a multi-game absence in Week 7. Fries is the only Vikings starting lineman to start all eight games this season.
Kelly was knocked out of Minnesota’s Week 2 loss to the Falcons, and returned in Week 4 before exiting with his second concussion.
The Vikings first turned to Michael Jurgens at center, but it’s been Brandel’s job since Week 5 after Jurgens picked up a hamstring injury; that Brandel has taken the first snaps of his career at the position — at the NFL and college levels — ranks him among Minnesota's unsung heroes this season.
Minnesota will obviously take extra caution with Kelly recovering from multiple concussions. Assuming he’s medically cleared and feeling good, the Vikings could be getting their band back together at the opportune time over the next week or two.