EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings officially placed center Ryan Kelly on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his 2025 campaign after he sustained his third concussion of the season. The move follows a Week 16 victory over the New York Giants in which Kelly was forced from the game following a second-quarter collision.
The injury marks a sobering milestone for the 32-year-old veteran, representing the sixth documented concussion of his NFL career. Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler who joined the Vikings on a two-year, $18 million contract this past March, has spent the majority of his debut season in Minnesota navigating the league’s concussion protocol.
Kelly’s struggles with head injuries began early in the season, with his first concussion occurring in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons. After returning in Week 4 for a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, he suffered a second concussion, which prompted the team to place him on injured reserve for the first time on October 4. That initial stint on IR resulted in a two-month absence as the Vikings’ medical staff and head coach Kevin O’Connell emphasized a cautious approach to his recovery.
“So much respect for Ryan as a player and the way he took the amount of time he did and was fighting to get back on the field,” O’Connell said this week. “When he returned to the field, the impact he’s had on our offense over these last few games has been massive.”
Upon his return to the active roster in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers, Kelly took additional safety precautions, including switching to a higher-rated helmet model and wearing a Guardian Cap during games. Despite these measures, he sustained the season-ending injury during a run play midway through the second quarter on Sunday.
The recurring nature of the injuries has raised internal and external questions regarding Kelly’s future in the sport. Earlier this season, Kelly admitted to “soul searching” and consulting with specialists before deciding to continue his career. With 302 career regular-season snaps in 2025 across just eight games, his availability has been a persistent hurdle for a Vikings offensive line that has also dealt with injuries to tackle Brian O’Neill and guard Donovan Jackson.
With Kelly sidelined, the Vikings are expected to lean on second-year center Michael Jurgens for the remainder of the season and any potential playoff appearances. Kelly remains under contract for the 2026 season, though his recent injury history and a potential $9 million cap saving may factor into the organization’s offseason roster decisions.
