Ryan Kelly returns to action with the Vikings after overcoming concussions
Eagan, Minnesota – The Minnesota Vikings have activated center Ryan Kelly from the injured reserve list, marking the end of his nearly two-month recovery after suffering two concussions that put his career at risk. Kelly, who signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Vikings in March, after spending his first nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, has suffered a total of five documented concussions since entering the NFL. The Vikings diagnosed him with concussions during the Week 2 and 4 games of this season, before placing him on the injured reserve list. In 2025, he has played a total of 113 snaps. Upon his return on Sunday for the Vikings’ game against the Green Bay Packers, Kelly will wear a new helmet model and is also likely to use a Guardian Cap, according to coach Kevin O’Connell. It will be the first game this season in which all five members of the Vikings’ starting offensive line have played together. The Vikings opened Kelly’s 21-day practice window on November 12, and he followed it with six symptom-free practice days over the next two weeks.The Vikings had already created a spot on the roster for Kelly by waiving cornerback Dwight McGlothern Jr. on Thursday. McGlothern re-signed with the Vikings’ practice squad on Saturday and was then promoted to the active roster for Sunday’s game.You never want to go on the reserve for injury. But I think, in the grand scheme of things, it was the best option to give me time to see specialists and do what I needed, and I’m grateful that the Vikings had the foresight to do it.
Ryan Kelly
