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KOC Offers Postgame Injury Updates on MN Vikings O-Linemen
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- KOC Offers Postgame Injury Updates on MN Vikings O-Linemen
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings played an emotionally draining Week 4 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite some believing that Kevin O'Connell's squad would roll the competition , that couldn't have been further from the truth.
Carson Wentz did what he could to keep the team in it, but he struggled to keep the offense moving as the line eroded in front of him. As has been the case for the duration of the season, the Vikings watched injuries mount and the sledding got tougher.
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Brian O'Neill was the key starter to go down early for Minnesota, and he never returned. Ryan Kelly ultimately joined him, and the continued lack of health remains a massive issue.
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Vikings could be without Brian O'Neill for a while
For the first couple of weeks this season the Minnesota Vikings were without starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw. Justin Skule started in his place and things went poorly. Brian O'Neill went down against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and things could go poorly again if Skule has to fill in for a significant amount of time.
Vikings RT Brian O'Neill just went down with a nasty vaccine injury.
Hopefully he is ok. pic.twitter.com/lf29VyOnvq— Jeffrey Josephs (Alpha Male) (@AlphaJeffrey45) September 28, 2025
Kevin O'Connell said Brian O'Neill will have an MRI tonight in Dublin. Said medical people were examining his MCL.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 28, 2025
O'Neill has been a stabilizing presence for the Vikings on the right side of the offensive line whenever he is on the field. He went down after the Vikings settled for a field goal on their first possession.
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Initially the injury was tagged with a questionable designation to return. Ultimately O'Neill never returned to the field and Skule had to fill in. It didn't go well, as would be expected, and the veteran right tackle was beat on consistent plays.
With O'Neill getting an MRI before Minnesota even leaves Dublin, things aren't looking up. The Vikings are headed to London for a game against the Cleveland Browns next weekend. Hopefully there is no ligament tear, but a sprain is also likely to cost the veteran some time.
Bad news for Minnesota Vikings Ryan Kelly
It wasn't just O'Neill that went down among the Minnesota Vikings offensive linemen on Sunday. Center Ryan Kelly exited the contest and suffered a concussion for the second time this season . He had just missed a game and returned to the lineup this week .
Asked about Ryan Kelly's second concussion in four games, and whether larger conversations need to be had, Kevin O'Connell defers to medical staff and says it's not his lane weigh in.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 28, 2025
Minnesota, Kelly, and team doctors will need to now have some very serious discussions about his path forward. A pair of concussions in a four-week time span is not a good outcome. It's also his fifth career concussion that has been documented, and quality of life considerations going forward are worthwhile to weigh.
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This offseason the Vikings signed Kelly to take over for Garrett Bradbury. He certainly raised the water level of the offensive line abilities, but he did come with injury concerns of his own. It's difficult to pin a concussion on the training staff, but much was gambled on players with injury histories .
It seems likely that Minnesota will be without their starting center, guard, and right tackle next weekend against the Browns . Five weeks into the season the Vikings will have yet to see what their complete intended starting offensive line looks like. That isn't changing any time soon.
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