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Pro Bowl offensive lineman Ryan Kelly’s career could be in jeopardy after he was placed on injured reserve for the third concussion he suffered this season.
Kelly, 32, managed to play in eight games with the Minnesota Vikings this season, but the third concussion of 2025 marked the sixth of his career, possibly putting the rest of his time in the NFL in question, according to ESPN.
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Ryan Kelly #78 of the Minnesota Vikings participates in warmups prior to a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The center suffered the injury when he collided with New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke in Week 16. Kelly was wearing a Guardian Cap for an extra layer of protection.
“Ryan Kelly will more than likely be out this week. He’s fine with his symptoms and stuff. Obviously disappointed that it happened,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “And go back and take a look at not only the play, but the sequences during the play, after the play, if there was anything we could have avoided in there, but no, just part of the game. And Ryan knows that.
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Medical personnel look on Ryan Kelly #78 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter of a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Elsa/Getty Images)
“So much respect for Ryan as a player and the way he took the time he did and fought to get back on the field and feel ready to go and we held back a little bit. And then when he got back on the field, the impact he’s had on our offense over the last couple of games has been massive. So we need Jurgs (Michael Jurgens) to have a huge role and Ryan can play a huge role. everything he can to help Jurgs be ready to go.”
O’Connell was noncommittal on whether Kelly would play against the Green Bay Packers.
The Indianapolis Colts selected Kelly with the 18th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He started all 16 games that year. He played nine years with the Colts and earned all of his Pro Bowl selections with the team.
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The Vikings have had a rash of injuries all season. Going into their game against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota was 7-8.
