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NFL Insider Reveals Some Good News on Injured Vikings Pro Bowler
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- NFL Insider Reveals Some Good News on Injured Vikings Pro Bowler
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings fell to 2-2 on Sunday morning (CDT), thanks to a loss in Dublin against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers . Next up on their international agenda is a week 5 matchup just across the Irish/English border in London, against the Cleveland Browns .
But for the next handful of days leading up to October 5, all eyes are on the injury problem that's been running rampant throughout the Vikings locker room , going all the way back to the start of training camp.
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Since the season started, though, Minnesota's health issues have hit hardest on the offensive line. And when your o-line can't isn't good enough to block opposing defenders because your best players are sidelined, that affects every single other position on offense.
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This week, two Vikings offensive lineman left the game with injuries. In the first quarter, right tackle Brian O'Neill went down with an apparent knee injury. Center Ryan Kelly joined him in the training room at halftime, when he was diagnosed with his second concussion in three weeks and fifth of his career.
Update on Brian O'Neill injury better than it could have been…
On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings did not meet with media or offer any injury updates. What we did get was an insider update from Ian Rapoport (NFL Network) who reported on Twitter (X) that O'Neill's knee injury is a sprained MCL and his return timeline is "week-to-week".
The MRI has confirmed that #Vikings RT Brian O'Neill sprained his MCL on Sunday, taking him off the field. He's week-to-week, but no surgery is required. Coach Kevin O'Connell had indicated this was the case.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2025
Undoubtedly, this is the best possible news we could have gotten on Brian O'Neill today, barring the MRI revealed a miracle diagnosis. There was a real danger that the MCL was torn, like JJ McCarthy and Christian Darrisaw 's were last season.
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Luckily, it is not and the 30-year-old former Pittsburgh Panther should be back in weeks, instead of months. But in the short-term, the Minnesota Vikings need to find a way to keep the o-line together until they can get some starters back.
If KOC & Co. fail, then they could be in danger of losing the season before those two return and everyone knocks off rust/gets acclimated with each other. Let's remember that the Vikings' projected offensive line still has yet to play one snap together.
Minnesota Vikings offensive line injuries piling up
Christian Darrisaw missed the first two games of the season, recovering from 2024 knee surgery. Before he could return, newly acquired center Ryan Kelly went down with a concussion. Kelly sat out one game before he was back on the field in Dublin.
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Unfortunately, he was removed at halftime after he again showed concussion symptoms in the MN Vikings locker room. Who knows what the future holds for the 32-year-old Kelly, but given his concussion history, you'd have to assume he and team trainers will (rightfully) take their time in bringing him back, should he decide to keep playing.
Meanwhile, Donovan Jackson is out multiple weeks, after he received surprise (at least to us) wrist surgery one week ago. Neither he nor Brian O'Neill are expected back until after the week 6 bye, at the earliest. On the schedule week 7 are the currently undefeated Philadelphia Eagles .
The Vikings new OL is looking DANGEROUS 😤
LT Christian Darrisaw (best tackle in NFL)
LG Blake Brandel (sneaky good guard)
C Ryan Kelly (four-time Pro Bowler)
RG Will Fries (top free agent guard)
RT Brian O'Neill (two-time Pro Bowler) pic.twitter.com/whJjeqmoNa— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) March 11, 2025
Holding down the OL fort until then will be fellow starters Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries , along with a host of backups cosplaying as starters, including Justin Skule , Blake Brandel , Michael Jurgens … and possibly even Joe Huber or Walter Rouse , should things get even hairier.
It's also possible we see the Minnesota Vikings front office spur into action. If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah does look for external help, expect a move more on the margins than anything else. I can't imagine they make a big splash after the good news they received on O'Neill Monday.
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