First London Vikings Injury Report Brings Bad News in the Middle

The Minnesota Vikings were always going to be tested with their offensive line depth this week, after Brian O’Neill suffered a sprained MCL Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s unlikely he plays against the Cleveland Browns in London, but he’s not the only one.

With the amount of players questionable to participate in practice this week, Minnesota signed hometown tackle Matt Waletzko and had him fly across the pond. He is currently a member of the practice squad, but that could change if the week doesn’t progress well for active roster talent.

Wednesday’s injury report doesn’t inspire a lot of immediate confidence.

Top two centers down for Minnesota Vikings

Christian Darrisaw has now been back for two weeks after the Minnesota Vikings gave him additional time to return from his knee surgery. Unfortunately he has yet to play with the complete intended offensive line and that won’t be changing any time soon. The first injury report of the week revealed he may be playing alongside a third string center too.

The #Vikings first injury report of Week 5 pic.twitter.com/otdJtyftoI

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 1, 2025

Ryan Kelly is certain to be out this week as he works through the concussion protocol for the second time in four weeks. It’s his fifth recorded concussion in his playing career, and at some point the repeated brain injuries become a serious cause for concern.

That would make Michael Jurgens the next man up. He has started a game already this season in place of Kelly, but if he’s out, then things get really dicey. The hamstring injury is presumably a malady he suffered during the Steelers game, though he was able to play through it.

Minnesota’s depth chart doesn’t list a third center. With Justin Skule filling in for O’Neill at right tackle, and Blake Brandel assuming Donovan Jackson’s guard spot, options as a whole are limited. Tackle Walter Rouse, and undrafted rookie guard Joe Huber are the only other linemen on the 53-man roster.

The practice squad, beyond Waltezko, includes only two linemen in Henry Byrd (G) and Vershon Lee (OL). Lee is a rookie yet to appear in a game, and Byrd has one year of experience while making his regular season debut against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Week must progress positively for Minnesota

This is an important week of practice for Minnesota as they look to get healthier going into the bye. There is hope that J.J. McCarthy can run the scout team at the end of the week, and that would put him on track to return after the Week 6 bye. His athleticism can also help to mimic new Browns starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Both C.J. Ham and Tyler Batty had their practice windows opened. Batty is an edge rusher, so he won’t help on the offensive line, but with Andrew Van Ginkel out, addition help in the front seven is welcomed.

Minnesota elevated veteran tight end Nick Vannett from the practice squad for the game against Pittsburgh with Ben Yurosek out. He remains on the shelf to start the week, and another activation for Vannett would be the third and final time that can happen before he must be signed to the active roster.

It seems like the MN Vikings bye is coming at the perfect time. They just need to get through the Browns with a win, and healthy, before getting there.